STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN COMMERCIAL ART GALLERIES IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA

Abstract

Commercial art galleries (CAGs) are economic and cultural entities at the same time. They depend on stakeholder engagement to thrive and reach success and sustainability. This thesis researches stakeholder engagement in CAGs in Damascus, Syria. Regarding methodology, the thesis adopts case study as a research strategy covering nine commercial art galleries in Damascus as case studies. It conducted 27 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with gallerists and stakeholders, including artists, collectors, critics, and visitors, and 9 participant observation to collect on-site data. It uses thematic and content analysis. The thesis establishes stakeholders for CAGs, examines factors influencing stakeholder engagement according to gallerists and stakeholders, assesses the outcomes of stakeholder engagement according to both gallerists and stakeholders, and creates a thematic model mapping stakeholder engagement in CAGs among gallerists and stakeholders helping them to informedly and effectively engage each other. The thesis explores existing gallerists’ stakeholder engagement practices and stakeholders’ desired engagement practices offering insights to parties to understand each other’s needs and interests. The thesis, the first of its kind to provide these findings based on academic systematic analysis, contributes to practical management knowledge of CAGs and their stakeholders. This area is understudied by scholarly literature. It contributes to theoretical scholar literature related to management and engagement theory. The thesis proposes recommendations to gallerists, stakeholders and cultural institutions on management and stakeholder engagement in the art market and CAGs to foster their engagement, performance and success.

Date of Award	2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Plymouth
Supervisor	Rong Huang (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)) & Graham Busby (Other Supervisor)