Institutional Change in the Turkish Film Industry (1950-2006): Social Exclusion Impact of Globalization

Abstract

This study examines the impact of globalization on the organization of production chain in the Turkish film industry. Adopting the historical institutionalist approach, the study examines the institutional change in the organization of production, distribution and exhibition chain in the Turkish film industry for the period of 1950-2006. The main finding of the study is that as a result of opening up the industry to the foreign direct investment in 1989, the organization of production chain evolves from a network structure dominated by regional distributors to a hierarchical network structure dominated by the big US film companies. Another finding is that the multiplex type of film theaters particularly located in big cities emerges as a supplementary form to the theaters with single screen that has been widespread in the previous period. This leads to an increase in the number of cities without theaters. The study emphasizes that the social exclusion manifested by increasing 'theaterlessness' is inherent within the multiplex type of film theater diffused through globalization.