Developing a Strategy to Encourage the Animation Industry Life Cycle Evolution in Saudi Arabia
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Developing A Strategy To Encourage The Animation Industry Life Cycle Evolution In Saudi Arabia By Ohud Alharbi Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Supervised by: Dr. Emily Baines Ms. Janet Choo Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities De Montfort University July 2017 I Abstract This thesis examines the Saudi animation industry and investigates the barriers that are preventing the development of its life cycle. Although there has been a demand for animation content since the establishment of the Saudi TV in 1965, the Saudi animation industry remains in its Introduction stage. Therefore, the study undertakes an analysis of the factors that could enable the industry to move to its Growth stage. To achieve this, the study attempts to establish an understanding of how different countries succeeded in developing their animation industry life cycle. Therefore, the study selects three countries as a qualitative multiple case study. These countries are the UK, which represents a Mature animation industry; Egypt, which represents an established Growth industry; while the United Arab of Emirates represents an emerging Growth industry. This has involved an in-depth analysis of the animation industries in Saudi Arabia and two other Arabian countries – UAE and Egypt – as well as of the UK. There has been very limited historiography for Arabian animation and almost none on the Saudi Arabian industry previously. A consideration of which factors should be investigated, as the most effective in influencing the evolution of the industry, was undertaken. Reviewing the available literature on the animation industry development showed that four factors have been found to play a considerable role in developing the local animation industry: Higher II Education institutions, Networks, Government and Location. Thus, this study focuses on examining these four factors at different life cycle stages of the animation industry. The findings of this study demonstrate that their impact differs from stage to stage in developing the local animation industry; the significance of particular barriers also varies at different stages of the life cycle. Thus, this study developed a Theoretical Model that combines the most effective strategy that has been found within the studied countries. It also applied the model to the specific context of the Saudi Arabian industry and developed recommendations for a strategy to encourage its evolution. The model could also be applied to other developing animation industries. III Publications Alharbi, O. and Baines, E. (2015) Challenging Barriers to the Evolution of the Saudi Animation Industry Life-Cycle. ICCI 2015: International Conference on Creative Industry, in New York, USA, 4th-5th June 2015. Alharbi, O. and Baines, E. (2012) A Call for Endogenous Saudi Animation: Stop Cultural Imperialism. 6th Saudi International Conference, Brunel University, London, October 2012. Posters A poster presented at the 8th Saudi Students Conference at Imperial College London, 31st January - 1st February 2015, titled ‘Adopting an Industry Enhancement and Entrepreneurship Strategy in Saudi Higher Education to Enhance the Animation Industry’. A poster presented at the 7th Saudi Student Conference at Edinburgh University, February 2014, titled ‘A Strategy to Develop the Animation Industry in Saudi Arabia.’ A poster presented at the 6th Saudi International Conference, Brunel University, London, October 2012, titled 'Animation Industry in Saudi Arabia: the Current State and Outlook'. Oral Presentation A presentation given at the East Midlands Universities Postgraduate Research Student Conference, University of Derby, 6th September 2013, titled 'Animation Industry.' IV Acknowledgments I would like to express my deepest thanks to my First Supervisor Dr. Emily Baines for her endless efforts and generous support toward my research who provided me with countless suggestions to improve my project. Also, I would like to express my appreciation to my second supervisor Ms. Janet Choo for her guidance and advice. Moreover, my sincere appreciation and thanks are due to my Mother’s soul and my father, who always encouraged me, also to my sister’s soul, Khulood, who was more than a sister as she was my supportive friend during my first years at the UK. I would like also to express my gratitude and love for my beloved husband, Abdullah, who was constantly and endlessly supporting me in my research study, thanks for your understanding me all the time during my study. Furthermore, I wish to express my love to my children Noha and Muhanad for their patience during my study. Thanks to you for your understanding that I am a busy mum all the time and I am sorry because I could not spend all the time with you when you want to play. Moreover, I would like to express my thanks to my sister Reem, who I spent a lovely time with her during her study in Leicester. Furthermore, I would like to express my love to all my sisters and brothers for their support. Finally, my sincere thanks to all my friends who I met during my study and become part of my family. V 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Research Background and Problem ............................................................................... 8 1.2 Motivation ........................................................................................................................ 12 1.3 Research Questions, Aims and Objectives ................................................................. 14 1.4 Research Methodology ................................................................................................... 16 1.5 Thesis Structure ............................................................................................................... 19 1.6 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 24 2 Literature Review ....................................................................................................... 25 2.1 Theoretical Context ...................................................................................................... 25 2.1.1 Industry Strategy Theory ................................................................................................... 26 2.1.1.1 The Origin of Strategy Theory ................................................................................................. 26 2.1.1.2 Achieving Competitiveness within an Industry .............................................................. 29 2.1.2 Industry Development Theory ........................................................................................ 32 2.1.2.1 Industry Life Cycle ....................................................................................................................... 33 2.1.2.2 Industry Barriers and their Effects on the Industry and Market Structure ........ 39 2.1.2.2.1 Entry Barriers ....................................................................................................................... 40 2.1.2.2.2 Mobility Barriers ................................................................................................................. 42 2.1.2.2.3 Exit Barriers .......................................................................................................................... 43 2.1.2.3 Industry Evolution Drivers ...................................................................................................... 43 2.1.2.3.1 Demand Growth .................................................................................................................. 43 2.1.2.3.2 Knowledge Production and Diffusion ........................................................................ 45 2.1.3 Cluster Theory ........................................................................................................................ 49 2.1.3.1 The origin of cluster theory ..................................................................................................... 49 2.1.3.2 The Rationale for Cluster Creation ....................................................................................... 51 2.1.3.3 Epistemological Clusters ........................................................................................................... 53 2.2 Animation Industry Research ................................................................................... 55 2.2.1 Orientations of Previous Animation Industry Research ...................................... 56 2.2.2 Research on Arab Animation Industry Development ........................................... 58 2.2.3 Research on Global Animation Industry Development ........................................ 58 2.3 Research Framework ................................................................................................... 65 2.3.1 Higher Education ................................................................................................................... 66 2.3.2 Networks ................................................................................................................................... 67 2.3.3 Governments ........................................................................................................................... 68 2.3.4 Location ..................................................................................................................................... 69 2.4 Summary