Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted The Impact of Emerging Tourism on Cultural Sustainability and Participation in Societal Affairs: A Case Study of AlUla, Saudi Arabia.(University of Nottingham, 2024) Alqahtani, Nouf; Canavan, BrendanIn the rapidly transforming cultural landscape of AlUla, Saudi Arabia, tourism emerges as both a powerful driver of economic growth and a potential threat to cultural sustainability. This dissertation explores its dual-edged impact on cultural sustainability and societal participation in AlUla, a region with deep historical roots and significant cultural heritage currently at the forefront of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 tourism initiatives. While promoted as a catalyst for economic growth and social development, tourism presents challenges, particularly concerning the preservation of local cultural practices and the evolving roles of women in society. Applying the Sustainable Tourism Development framework, Social Exchange Theory, and Place Attachment and Identity Theory, this study examines to what extent tourism influences cultural preservation, social equity, and gender roles in AlUla. A quantitative research approach is employed, involving data collection via questionnaire from 103 participants, residents engaged in the tourism sector. The findings reveal that tourism has facilitated the emergence of a hybrid cultural identity, particularly among younger generations, blending traditional Saudi customs with global influences. Additionally, the study highlights the significant role of tourism in enhancing women's participation in leadership and community roles, although this progress is tempered by persistent challenges such as cultural resistance and societal stigma. The study concludes that while tourism offers substantial economic and social benefits, it also poses risks to cultural integrity and social cohesion in AlUla. Recommendations are made for developing sustainable tourism practices that balance economic growth with the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of social equity, ensuring that AlUla's unique cultural and social fabric remains intact.26 0Item Restricted The Impact of Vision 2030 on Women's Leadership Development.(Loughborough University, 2023-09-06) Alhubail, Hissah; Zhang, Ling EleanorThe main objective of this dissertation is to analyse Vision 2030's transformational impact on Saudi Arabian women's leadership development inside Saudi multinational enterprises (MNEs). The research focuses on the persistent challenges women encounter in leadership roles post-Vision 2030. Based on qualitative methods, the study employs in-depth interviews to explore the lived experiences of Saudi women. The findings indicate that Vision 2030 has played a significant role in pushing change, but it has not entirely removed the barriers to female leadership progress. Cultural norms and societal views persist as substantial barriers, indicating that legalization reforms alone cannot address gender equality issues in leadership. Additionally, the research identifies a notable discrepancy between MNE's strategies and Vision 2030 goals, most notably demonstrated in the gender quota systems, which may not necessarily contribute to women's leadership promotion. The dissertation also acknowledges its limitations, including the focus on the context of Saudi MNEs and the small sample size. The dissertation concludes by proposing a comprehensive strategy to overcome the difficulties. Gender equality goals outlined in Vision 2030 require more than policy implementation; they also require societal transformation and organizational restructuring. This study contributes valuable insights to the current body of literature by highlighting enduring gender inequalities in leadership positions, despite legislative advancements.29 0Item Restricted Essays in Economic Development and Political Empowerment(Saudi Digital Library, 2024-08) Shaiekh, Lama Tariq; Rogers, MelissaThis dissertation is composed of three unrelated chapters, all of which are on different topics. Chapter 1: T The Effect of Economic Freedom on Economic Growth: A Case Study of the Middle East Region. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of economic freedom on foreign direct investment inflow and economic growth to countries of the Middle East Chapter 2: Do the poor revolt? A study on Income and Political Freedom in the context of the Egyptian Revolution. The study revisits the income-political freedom connection using data from Egyptian nationals in 2008, The study investigates the relationship between an individual's income level and demand for democracy using an Ordered Logistic regression. Chapter 3: Women Empowerment and Its Impact on Economic Growth: A Study of Latin America and the Caribbean Region. This quantitative study investigated how empowering women helped address and improve economic challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. A secondary purpose was to determine relationships between women’s empowerment and economic growth and to see the effects of any variables of interest on economic growth.32 0