Research on Incentive Mechanism and Strategy Choice for Passing on Intangible Cultural Heritage from Masters to Apprentices

Changqing Sun,Ruihua Liao,Hong Chen

doi:10.3390/su13095245

Abstract

With the increasing prosperity of the global economy, the protection and sustainable development of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) are being confronted with many problems, among which the difficulty of passing on ICH, particularly traditional handicraft, from masters to apprentices should be given attention. The main purpose of the study is, from the perspective of knowledge transfer and incentive mechanisms, to explore how to mobilize the positive factors to promote the successful implementation of passing on ICH. On the basis of identifying the key influencing factors of ICH knowledge transfer and establishing the payoff matrix between masters and apprentices, this study uses replicator dynamic equations to analyze strategy choices in different situations and verifies the impacts of these factors on passing on ICH through data simulation. The study draws the following main conclusions: (1) Increases in variables e, a, v, Ju, Jd, Ku, and Kd will drive up the probabilities of adopting a positive strategy and successful ICH inheritance and increases in variables Cu and Cd will drive probabilities down. (2) Changes in any variable have an impact on both sides through the interaction between masters and apprentices, and the impact’s direction is the same. (3) Among all economic measures, cost control should be the first to be considered. These conclusions provide important theoretical guidance for local government and related organizations to support ICH bequeathal and for masters and apprentices to make choices regarding strategy. The paper fills the literature gaps in the study of the influencing factors of ICH knowledge transfer and the game model between masters and apprentices, and on the incentive mechanism and strategy choice of passing on and developing ICH.

Highlights

In accordance with the Text of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the IntangibleCultural Heritage [1], intangible cultural heritage (ICH) means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, as well as instruments, objects, artefacts, and cultural spaces associated therewith that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage
Since passing on ICH is a process of social exchange, which succeeds only if the actual benefits outweigh the cost, the output of passing on ICH is directly affected by the strategies of both sides, and the process is characterized by continuous improvement and frequent repetition
In order to promote a smooth progress of tacit knowledge transfer, it is necessary their strategies, which will lead to the failure of passing on ICH from masters to apprentices

Summary

Introduction

Cultural Heritage [1], intangible cultural heritage (ICH) means the practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, skills, as well as instruments, objects, artefacts, and cultural spaces associated therewith that communities, groups, and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. ICH is the living carrier, living specimen, and living memory of national cultural symbols and aesthetic habits. It continues and develops around people’s production and life and is a continuous cultural chain [2]. The bequeathal and sustainable development of ICH have attracted the attention of many related organizations, local governments, and international communities as represented in the General Assembly of States Parties to the 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of ICH

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