Dr. Hafedh holds a PhD from the University of Sheffield’s Information School. Her doctoral research focuses on Quadruple Helix innovation networks, particularly within the financial services sector ecosystem and the emerging FinTech sector in Bahrain.

Before pursuing her PhD, she earned an MBA from Ahlia University and a B.Sc. in Accounting from the University of Bahrain. Additionally, she obtained a Diploma in Education (specializing in teaching) from the University of Bahrain. More recently, Dr. Hafedh achieved Associate Fellow (AFHEA) status from Advance HE and completed a Certificate in FinTech for finance and business leaders from ACCA.

Currently, Dr. Hafedh serves as an Assistant Professor of Banking and Finance at Ahlia University, a position she holds in the Accounting, Finance, and Economics department.

Her research expertise encompasses Quadruple Helix innovation networks, FinTech, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and inter-organizational knowledge dynamics. She employs processual theoretical approaches influenced by Arenas/Social Worlds Theory, situational analysis, and Grounded Theory. Dr. Hafedh actively contributes to the academic community as a peer reviewer for the Journal of the Knowledge Economy

At Ahlia University, she has extensive teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr. Hafedh also plays a crucial role in supervising and serving as an internal examiner for final projects required for BSc graduation (FINC/BANK 499), as well as for MBA and FinTech (MSFT) dissertations (FINC/FINT 599), guiding students on research standards and methodology.

Research interests

My research is centred on Quadruple Helix innovation networks and the emerging FinTech sector of Bahrain. Specific interests are innovation, knowledge transfer, entrepreneurial ecosystems, inter-organisational knowledge dynamics, the processual theoretical approach, and innovation intermediaries. These themes are further influenced by Arenas/Social Worlds Theory, situational analysis, and Grounded Theory.

Publications

Conference proceedings papers:

• Hafedh H, Vasconcelos A & Jimenez A (2020) Tensions in inter-organisational knowledge transfer from a Quadruple Helix perspective: The FinTech ecosystem in Bahrain. IFKAD 2020 Proceedings: Knowledge in Digital Age, 9 September 2020 – 11 September 2020.
• Hafedh, H. A., & Vasconcelos, A. C. (2020). Knowledge transfer from a perspective of quadruple helix: Initial findings from the financial services sector in Bahrain. iConference 2020 Proceedings.