An ISM Approach for Modelling the Enablers of Managing Multiple Stakeholders in the Protection of Historic Buildings in Saudi Arabia

Managing the protection of historic buildings involves interplay of multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests, which could hinder the success of managing any intervention work for protecting the buildings. The goal of this paper is to identify and analyse the essential enablers that promote efficient management of multiple stakeholders in the protection of historic buildings and their interactions in Saudi Arabia. Literature review and expert-based survey were utilized to identify and evaluate the enablers. The ISM technique was used to investigate and explain the intricate interrelationship among the different enablers by providing a multi-level hierarchical structure of the enablers while the enablers were classified based on their driving and driven strengths using the MICMAC approach. The findings indicate that ‘identifying the general interest of the local communities’ is the most critical enabler for improving the management of multiple stakeholders. The findings of this study have important implications for managers and practitioners involved in the protection of historic buildings. Understanding the enablers of managing multiple stakeholders can guide managers in developing effective strategies for stakeholder engagement and collaboration. Thus, recognizing the significance of the enablers managers can enhance stakeholder relationships, foster cooperation, and achieve successful outcomes in heritage conservation projects. Meanwhile, from a practical perspective, the study offers insights that can inform decision-making and policy development in the protection of historic buildings. The identification of enablers provides a framework for designing and implementing stakeholder management strategies.