IHCS Interdisciplinary Studies in Media and Culture 2383-062X 6 2 2017 01 20 Influence of the Cultural Heritage Documentary Films on the Cultural Identity of Iranians: A Grounded Theory (GT) Based Model Influence of the Cultural Heritage Documentary Films on the Cultural Identity of Iranians: A Grounded Theory (GT) Based Model 1 22 2398 FA Soheila Borqani Farahani PhD in Media Management from Tehran University & Ministry of Science, Research and Technology Nafise Aqajani MS in Media Management from Allameh Tabatabai University Journal Article 2016 06 24 Compared to other aspects of identity, cultural identity is of growing importancein today's world. The present paper is the outcome of a qualitative study aimed at providing a model to demonstrate the role of the Cultural Heritage documentary films broadcast on the Iranian domestic television on strengthening the cultural identity of Iranians. The method used in this research, i.e. the grounded theory method (GTM), is carried out in five stagesofresearch design, data collection, data adjustment, data analysis, and comparison with literature. Data collection isperformed through observation, study of documents, and in-depth interviews while actors are selected (through snowball and theoretical sampling methods) from the two communities of documentary makers and associated managers.13 interviews were conducted in total to satisfy the requirements of theoretical saturation. In thedata analysis stage, open coding was applied to all interviews in which the 153 obtained concepts were placed in 23 sub-categories and,ultimately,in 8 main categories (statements). The findingsdemonstrate that televising the Cultural Heritage documentaries is influential instrengthening the cultural identity of Iranians (phenomenon) through the capabilities of television documentaries (causal conditions), interactions with managerial and professional platforms (underlying conditions) and intervening conditions of applying professional and managerialstrategies (strategies) in order to achieve the objectives of the cultural development of the country (consequence). Compared to other aspects of identity, cultural identity is of growing importancein today's world. The present paper is the outcome of a qualitative study aimed at providing a model to demonstrate the role of the Cultural Heritage documentary films broadcast on the Iranian domestic television on strengthening the cultural identity of Iranians. The method used in this research, i.e. the grounded theory method (GTM), is carried out in five stagesofresearch design, data collection, data adjustment, data analysis, and comparison with literature. Data collection isperformed through observation, study of documents, and in-depth interviews while actors are selected (through snowball and theoretical sampling methods) from the two communities of documentary makers and associated managers.13 interviews were conducted in total to satisfy the requirements of theoretical saturation. In thedata analysis stage, open coding was applied to all interviews in which the 153 obtained concepts were placed in 23 sub-categories and,ultimately,in 8 main categories (statements). The findingsdemonstrate that televising the Cultural Heritage documentaries is influential instrengthening the cultural identity of Iranians (phenomenon) through the capabilities of television documentaries (causal conditions), interactions with managerial and professional platforms (underlying conditions) and intervening conditions of applying professional and managerialstrategies (strategies) in order to achieve the objectives of the cultural development of the country (consequence). http://mediastudy.ihcs.ac.ir/article_2398_a7199950c55619dbdc88c3331eb48fac.pdf