Date of Defense
11-10-2023 11:00 AM
Location
H1-1116
Document Type
Thesis Defense
Degree Name
Master of Governance and Public Policy
College
CHSS
First Advisor
Dr. Osman Antwi-Boateng
Keywords
Soft power, Governance, Empowerment, Expo2020, Hosting, Culture, Event .
Abstract
The study aimed at identifying and evaluating the soft power impact of international event hosting by considering the case of the UAE and EXPO2020. To attain this aim, a qualitative methodology has been incorporated, wherein data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 managers involved in the organization of the Dubai Expo 2020, which were correspondingly analyzed through textual basis or content analysis. The study found that the soft power of the UAE can be measured using the six parameters of Soft Power 30 of McClory, which are Engagement, Government, Culture, Education, Enterprise and Digital. The challenges associated with event hosting to attain soft power are related to financial, political and administrative, infrastructure and human resources, logistics and transportation, as well as environmentally sustainable development. The potential solutions to the identified challenges are proper budgeting and planning, proper monitoring of the expenses, maintaining a greater transparency level, upholding an internally diverse culture, development must be innovative, training for the hired employees, creating specific mobile applications for visitors, and developing new low-carbon vehicles.
Included in
THE SOFT POWER IMPACT OF INTERNATIONAL EVENT HOSTING: THE CASE OF UAE AND EXPO 2020
H1-1116
The study aimed at identifying and evaluating the soft power impact of international event hosting by considering the case of the UAE and EXPO2020. To attain this aim, a qualitative methodology has been incorporated, wherein data have been collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 managers involved in the organization of the Dubai Expo 2020, which were correspondingly analyzed through textual basis or content analysis. The study found that the soft power of the UAE can be measured using the six parameters of Soft Power 30 of McClory, which are Engagement, Government, Culture, Education, Enterprise and Digital. The challenges associated with event hosting to attain soft power are related to financial, political and administrative, infrastructure and human resources, logistics and transportation, as well as environmentally sustainable development. The potential solutions to the identified challenges are proper budgeting and planning, proper monitoring of the expenses, maintaining a greater transparency level, upholding an internally diverse culture, development must be innovative, training for the hired employees, creating specific mobile applications for visitors, and developing new low-carbon vehicles.