SACM - United Kingdom
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://drepo.sdl.edu.sa/handle/20.500.14154/9667
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Item Restricted How Effective Are Special Economic Zones in Supporting Economic Diversification(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Almutairi, Mohammed; Meriton, RoystonThis thesis examines how institutional quality and operational performance within Special Economic Zones (SEZs) relate to foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic diversification in Saudi Arabia. Guided by Institutional Theory, the study adopts a positivist, deductive, cross-sectional design and implements a structured online survey of informed stakeholders (N = 123). All multi-item scales demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .828-.874). Analyses were conducted in SPSS. Pearson correlations were uniformly positive and statistically significant (p < .01). To test the hypotheses, six bivariate ordinary least squares regressions (one predictor per model) were estimated. All models were significant at p < .001, with standardized coefficients β ranging from .77 to .88 and R2 from .59 to .77. Institutional Framework was strongly associated with SEZ Effectiveness (β = .840; R2 = .706), SEZ Success (β = .876; R2 = .768), and FDI (β = .798; R2 = .636). Economic Diversification was strongly associated with SEZ Success (β = .835; R2 = .698), SEZ Effectiveness (β = .767; R2 = .589), and FDI (β = .822; R2 = .675). Interpreted through a single explanatory account, the pattern is consistent with a transaction-cost and capability-formation perspective: high-quality institutions reduce frictions and coordinate expectations, enabling effective operations; effective operations and credible institutions de-risk investment; and embedded investment, together with reliable operations, contributes to capability accumulation and diversification. The study’s contribution is to demonstrate, in a reforming economy, a coherent configuration in which institutions, operations, investment, and diversification move together strongly and consistently. Implications emphasize institutional upgrading within SEZ authorities, operational excellence as a strategic lever, and programs that convert investment into local capabilities. Limitations (bivariate, cross-sectional design; perceptual measures) are noted, and directions for multivariate, longitudinal, and comparative research are set out.11 0Item Restricted Facilitating Clean Energy Foreign Direct Investment in Emerging Economies: Institutional Strategy and Reform in Saudi Arabia(Saudi Digital Library, 2025) Alashwl, Reham; Athanassopoulou, NickyThis study investigates the institutional strategies shaping foreign direct investment (FDI) in Saudi Arabia’s Clean Energy (CE) sector, aligned with Vision 2030. Despite recent reforms enhancing legal frameworks and investor incentives, challenges such as fragmented inter-agency coordination and regulatory ambiguity persist. Using a mixed-methods approach; surveys, semi-structured interviews and a comparative case study of Singapore’s Economic Development Board the research identifies both institutional strengths and gaps. Findings show that Saudi institutions adopt multi-pronged FDI strategies, including risk-sharing mechanisms, evolving legal tools and varied entry modes. However, changes in policies and challenges in inter-agency integration limit their impact. In contrast, Singapore’s model highlights the benefits of centralised governance, coherent policy and investor-oriented structures. This study contributes to the literature by framing institutions as strategic managers of FDI, particularly in high-risk, capital-intensive sectors like CE. It recommends enhancing institutional capacity through a dedicated CE FDI authority, more flexible localisation policies and structured investor feedback channels. These reforms can help position Saudi Arabia as a more competitive, sustainable CE investment hub.16 0