Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Balancing Innovation and Protection: Is AI Regulation the Future of Saudi FinTech?(King's College London, 2024-09) Alkhathlan, Alaa Saad; Keller, AnatThis study investigates the implications of artificial intelligence in the Saudi FinTech sector, focusing on the evolving regulatory landscape. While AI holds substantial promise for driving innovation, it also poses ethical and practical challenges such as data privacy, algorithmic transparency, and fairness. This study examines the current regulatory framework in Saudi Arabia, highlighting efforts like the AI Ethics Principles and the Personal Data Protection Law. Despite these measures, significant gaps remain due to the voluntary nature of the AI Ethics Principles and Generative AI Guidelines, resulting in inconsistent implementation. The primary aim of this study is to guide policymakers on regulating AI in the Saudi FinTech sector while preserving innovation. Key recommendations urge policymakers to develop regulations based on international best practices, addressing issues such as data privacy, algorithmic biases, and systemic risks. Emphasising the need for continuous dialogue among regulators, FinTech companies, and international partners, the study also calls for enhancing human-machine collaboration, establishing regulatory sandboxes, creating an AI Oversight Committee, and supporting research to better understand AI's implications. By aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 goals, these recommendations aim to strengthen Saudi Arabia's AI regulatory framework, support sustainable growth in the FinTech sector, and build public trust in AI-driven financial services.5 0Item Embargo From Oil to Identity: Place branding for urban transformation in a top-down society (A case study of Saudi Arabia)(Erasmus University Rotterdam, 2024-12-11) Alsayel, Abdulrhman; Edelenbos, Jurian; De Jong, Martin; Fransen, JanThis dissertation investigates the transformation of Saudi Arabian cities under the ambitious Vision 2030 framework, focusing on the role of place branding within a centralized governance system. The research seeks to understand how cultural, institutional, and governance factors influence the effectiveness of place branding strategies in Saudi Arabia, offering a departure from Western-centric models that emphasize participatory and bottom-up approaches. By using Riyadh as a principal case study, the thesis sheds light on the implications of top-down city branding on urban development, cultural preservation, and social inclusivity. The research is structured into four interconnected papers. The first paper explores the tension between economic growth and social inclusivity through a comparative analysis involving Dubai, Amsterdam, and Toronto. The findings reveal that while creative city branding can drive innovation and attract investment, it often neglects inclusivity, leading to social exclusion. The second paper examines how various multi-level governance models impact the success of place branding in Saudi Arabia, demonstrating that cities directly aligned with central government resources tend to achieve more effective branding, though this can exacerbate regional disparities. The third paper delves into the cultural and institutional factors affecting place branding, emphasizing that while central government involvement can streamline efforts, it may limit local stakeholder engagement. The final paper focuses on the rebranding of Riyadh, drawing comparisons with global cities like Barcelona and Tokyo to reveal both the opportunities and social challenges associated with rapid urban transformation, such as gentrification and cultural homogenization. This thesis concludes that while centralized governance can expedite urban development and enhance city branding, maintaining cultural integrity and fostering social equity are essential to sustainable growth. The research advocates for future studies to employ mixed-method approaches for broader applicability and to explore comparative case studies in other centralized systems, such as China and the UAE, to enrich the understanding of place branding in non-Western contexts.10 0Item Restricted The impact of economic diversification under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 on its GDP(University of Essex, 2024-09) Aleidan, Abdulaziz Ahmed Abdullah; Sefiloglu, OnurThis study explores the impact of economic diversification initiatives under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 on the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Launched in 2016, Vision 2030 aims to reduce Saudi Arabia's reliance on oil by diversifying its economic base through the development of non-oil sectors such as manufacturing, energy, and services. This research utilizes data from the General Authority for Statistics, spanning from 2011 to 2023, to assess changes in the GDP composition and growth patterns. Additionally, it incorporates comparative data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for other GCC countries to evaluate Saudi Arabia's performance relative to its regional peers. Employing a comprehensive econometric analysis, which includes multiple regression models and this comparative perspective, the study examines the contributions of various sectors to GDP growth and evaluates the effectiveness of the government's strategic policies in facilitating economic diversification. The findings indicate that non-oil sectors have increasingly contributed to GDP, with manufacturing emerging as a key driver, thus highlighting a successful shift towards a more diversified economic structure. This shift has significant implications for other oil-dependent economies considering similar diversification strategies11 0Item Restricted The Role of Corporate Governance for SOEs in Contributing to Achieving the Country's Objectives: Evidence from Saudi Arabia(Loughborough University, 2024-09-17) Alkharashi, Nawaf; Schnyder, GerhardThe importance that the corporate governance of SOEs has when it comes to their contribution to the development of an economy is hinged on the fact that proper corporate governance positions SOEs to contribute positively to the efficiency and competitiveness of an economy. The research aims to critically assess the role of corporate governance in enabling State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to contribute to the achievement of a country’s goals, using the Saudi Vision 2030 as a case study. In this research, a qualitative research method is adopted, and the case study research approach is employed in this research. In line with the qualitative research method and the case study approach, data was collected using interviews, particularly semi-structured interviews. A thematic analysis approach was employed in analysing the data collected from the interview. In the interview conducted, a total of 12 participants were interviewed. The data analysed points to the fact that the strategic alignment of the corporate governance of SOEs with national objectives is facilitated by the role of PIF and government entities, decision-making, oversights, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms in the SOEs. The findings from the research show that while there are both internal and external factors that threaten the ability of SOEs to contribute to national goals such as the Saudi Vision 2030, adaptability and flexibility of corporate governance structures play a role in helping the SOEs to navigate these challenges successfully, while active stakeholder engagement, performance evaluation mechanisms, as well as transparency and accountability all play roles in supporting the SOEs in ensuring their corporate governance strategies and activities align them with the Saudi Vision 2030.6 0Item Restricted Factors influencing Saudi women’s workforce participation: A quantitative study(City, university of london, 2024) Almugren, Malak; Mesnard, AliceThis study investigates the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing women’s workforce participation in Saudi Arabia from 1965 to 2023, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030. Utilizing time-series data and employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses, the research examines variables such as fertility rates, life expectancy, urbanization, education, time required to start a business, and financial development. The findings highlight a significant inverse relationship between fertility rates and female workforce participation, while urbanization, tertiary education, and financial development emerge as key positive predictors. The study offers policy recommendations including enhanced family planning programs, prioritizing urban development, and fostering financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.18 0Item Restricted “Humanising Cities Initiative: Evaluating Social Sustainability with a Focus on Well-Being through Quality-of-Life Programme Efforts - A Case Study of Madinah, Saudi Arabia: A Comprehensive Analysis(Univerity of Sheffiled, 2024-08) Moafa, Mona Mohammed; Williams, GlynThis dissertation evaluates the "Humanising Cities" initiative in Madinah, Saudi Arabia, as one of the vital components of the Quality of Life Programme, derived from Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative focuses on enhancing social sustainability and residents' well-being through improvements in urban design, public spaces, and infrastructure. The research explores four broad themes: Urban Design and Public Spaces, Social Sustainability, Residents' Well-being and Economic Growth, and Alignment with Vision 2030. Data was collected using a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative responses from 78 residents of Madinah through a survey. Thematic analysis highlights the programme's successes and areas for improvement, with particular focus on walkability, the expansion of green spaces, and community engagement. While significant successes were identified—such as positive impacts on physical health and local economic development—regional disparities and gaps in public awareness were also noted. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to the benefits of urban development and point to future research and policy considerations. Ultimately, this study provides valuable insights into the role of urban humanisation initiatives in fostering sustainable, inclusive, and liveable cities within the broader framework of Vision 2030.21 0Item Restricted A Multimodal Discourse Analysis of Airline Advertising in Saudi Arabia: Examining Cultural Representations(University College London, Institute Of Education, 2024-09) Binzaqr, Salem; Diamantopoulou, SophiaThis dissertation examines the interaction between cultural representation and advertising operations in Saudi Arabia by the lens of multimodal social semiotics and the kineikonic mode. With a specific emphasis on two airline companies, Flynas and Saudia. This study investigates how the advertising of these airlines communicate cultural and national discourses, specifically addressing how they strategically manage cultural taboos and sensitivities. Within the wider context of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which seeks to modernise the country while preserving its cultural identity, the research is placed. By using a comprehensive multimodal study, which includes the use of the Kineikonic Mode, this research examines the visual, verbal, aural, spatial and gestural components of the chosen advertising to comprehend their influence on the formation and representation of Saudi cultural identity. The results demonstrate that both Flynas and Saudia adeptly combine aspects of tradition, such as references to Bedouin ancestry and Islamic traditions, with modern ideas of advancement and worldwide interconnectedness. This combination functions to fashion a storyline that resonates throughout various demographic segments in Saudi Arabia, therefore strengthening a feeling of nationalism and cultural immortality. In addition to reflecting the changing cultural character of the country, the advertising also contributes to it by harmonising with the goals of Vision 2030. In a continuously modernising culture, the research emphasises the need of cultural awareness in advertising and demonstrates how these multimodal approaches successfully convey complex cultural narratives. Although the application of the Four Principles of Recontextualization, which were first developed for static texts, to dynamic video material has some limits, this study offers significant insights into the influence of advertising on the formation of cultural identity in Saudi Arabia. In conclusion, the dissertation proposes that future study should enhance these results by examining a wider variety of commercials and investigating their influence on other audience groups.24 0Item Restricted Factors influencing Saudi women’s workforce participation: A quantitative study(City, university of London, 2024) Almugren, Malak; Mesnard, AliceThis study investigates the demographic and socio-economic factors influencing women’s workforce participation in Saudi Arabia from 1965 to 2023, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030. Utilizing time-series data and employing Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses, the research examines variables such as fertility rates, life expectancy, urbanization, education, time required to start a business, and financial development. The findings highlight a significant inverse relationship between fertility rates and female workforce participation, while urbanization, tertiary education, and financial development emerge as key positive predictors. The study offers policy recommendations including enhanced family planning programs, prioritizing urban development, and fostering financial inclusion for women entrepreneurs, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers.11 0Item Restricted Vision 2030 and Sports Policy in Saudi Arabia: Shaping National Development and Global Impact(Loughborough University, 2024-09) Turkistani, Saleh; Piggin, JoeThis study examines the evolution of Saudi Arabia’s sports policy under Saudi Vision 2030, focusing on three key areas: physical activity, sports infrastructure, and the hosting of sports mega-events (SMEs). The research aims to explore how these policies have developed to support economic diversification, enhance quality of life, and position Saudi Arabia as a global sports hub. Employing a qualitative approach, the study uses policy and documentary analysis guided by the Interpretative Policy Analysis (IPA) framework, along with concepts of soft power and nation-branding. The findings reveal that initiatives such as the Quality-of-Life programme (QOLP) and the Sports for All Federation (SFA) have effectively increased sports participation, particularly among women, while significant investments in sports infrastructure have facilitated community engagement and prepared the Kingdom to host major international events. Hosting SMEs, framed as part of Saudi Arabia's nation-branding strategy, is shown to contribute to economic growth and international recognition. This study highlights the interconnected nature of physical activity promotion, investment in sport infrastructure, and major event hosting, illustrating how sports policies are vital to achieving the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030. The research offers insights for policymakers, sports management professionals, and academics on the potential of sports as a tool for national development and global influence.12 0Item Restricted Sustainable Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Balancing Local Community Benefits with Environmental Challenges.(Newcastle University, 2024) Alkahlani, Sabreen; Liu, Yu-LunSaudi Arabia's Vision 2030 emphasises sustainable tourism as a key component of an ongoing economic diversification strategy that aims to enhance socioeconomic welfare, address environmental issues, and preserve cultural heritage in both urban and rural areas across the country. While the Kingdom has been traditionally reliant on money from oil extraction, with its tourist trade dominated by religious tourism, its tourism sector is now being transformed and expanded, which requires a focus on sustainable practices. This study thus addresses a gap in the literature by examining the impacts of sustainable tourism on local communities and the environment in several rapidly developing regions such as Riyadh, Jeddah, and AlUla. Quantitative surveys were applied as the primary analytical approach, and the findings highlight significant both social and economic benefits, including job creation and income growth, as well as challenges in terms of balancing economic development with cultural preservation and environmental sustainability. The conclusion developed is therefore that, while Vision 2030 has improved public understanding of the benefits of tourism, there is a critical need to address various environmental challenges to ensure the long-term sustainability of the tourism sector. This leads to the development of recommendations focused on equitable economic distribution and the integration of sustainable practices in public transport and SME support.23 0