Issue 39, Winter/Spring 2025 on "Media, Management and Economics”

The media landscape in the Arab World is undergoing a rapid and profound transformation, shaped by technological advancements, shifting consumer behaviors, and evolving business models. Digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and content creators are redefining the media ecosystem, influencing economic structures, managerial strategies, and regulatory frameworks. As media organizations, content producers, and digital platforms adapt to this changing environment, new challenges and opportunities emerge for sustainable business models, ethical considerations, and innovative revenue streams.

This call for papers seeks to explore the dynamic intersections of media management, economics, and digital transformation in the Arab World. We invite contributions that critically examine how traditional and digital media industries are responding to these shifts and what strategies are being employed to sustain media operations in an era marked by algorithm-driven content distribution, influencer economies, and platformized communication. 

Key Themes:

We encourage submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

1. Economic and Managerial Strategies in the Digital Media Environment
   • Business models of digital media companies, streaming platforms, and content creators.
   • Monetization strategies in platform economies (e.g., subscriptions, advertising, influencer marketing).
   • Sustainability and financial resilience of media organizations in the Arab World.
2. The Role of Social Media and Content Creators in Media Economies
   • The economic impact of influencers, micro-entrepreneurs, and independent content producers.
   • Social media monetization and its implications for traditional media businesses.
   • Algorithm-driven visibility and its effect on content distribution and economic viability.
3. AI, Automation, and the Future of Media Management
   • The role of artificial intelligence in newsroom operations, advertising, and audience analytics.
   • Ethical concerns and regulatory challenges surrounding AI-driven content moderation and personalization.
   • AI’s impact on labor structures in media industries.
     
4. Regulation, Policy, and Media Sustainability
   • Media policies and regulations affecting digital media and platform governance in the region.
   • The role of governments and regulatory bodies in shaping digital economies.
   • Strategies for ensuring content diversity and safeguarding media pluralism in the digital age.
5. Audience Behavior, Consumption Patterns, and Market Trends
   • Changing media consumption habits across different demographic segments.
   • The role of mobile-first and on-demand media consumption in shaping business strategies.
   • The effects of disinformation, trust erosion, and audience fragmentation on media sustainability.
6. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and New Business Models
   • Media startups, digital entrepreneurs, and emerging players in the Arab Worldern media industry.
   • Case studies of innovative digital ventures in content production and distribution.
   • The intersection of technology, creativity, and economic models in media entrepreneurship.
7. The Global and Local Dynamics of Media Markets
   • Internationalization and localization strategies of global media players in the region.
   • Cross-cultural influences on media management and content strategies.
   • Economic implications of media collaborations and mergers in the Arab World.
     

The above list is a non-exhaustive set for suggested areas of research. We welcome contributions that explore other dimensions related to media and conflict in the Arab region.

Deadline for Submissions:

Authors interested in submitting their research for peer-review consideration must submit manuscripts by July 30, 2025. Other submissions, including book and conference reviews, shorter (non-peer reviewed) research papers, and columns, should be submitted by August 15, 2025.

Submission Guidelines:

All submissions must be in Microsoft Word format (.doc or .docx), adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style, and have a maximum length of 10,000 words (including footnotes and citations). Please include the author's name (as it should be published), their affiliation, and a brief abstract of no more than 150 words. Please email all submissions to: editor@arabmediasociety.com For further information regarding our publishing policies, kindly visit: www.arabmediasociety.com/publishing-policies/

Contact Information:

For any inquiries regarding the call for papers, please contact: editor@arabmediasociety.com. Thank you for your interest and support of Arab Media & Society. We look forward to your contributions to this timely and important issue.