Cultural Sector Research Articles

Synergies of Cultural–Creative Industries and Development in Peripheral Areas: Networking, Social Capital, and Place

Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) are widely acknowledged in academic and policy discourse as fundamental resources for local development. Nevertheless, a deeper understanding of the analysis of CCI function patterns and full potential exploitation in peripheral areas is needed in the literature on regional and local economic development. Peripheral destinations are often characterized by specific obstacles such as geographical remoteness from dominant economic centers, poor infrastructure and amenities, limited capacity for decision-making, etc. However, they can also have characteristics that can support the sustainability and development of a place, such as rich cultural heritage, traditional cultural industries, uniqueness and authenticity, and cultural identity and social cohesion. This paper provides an overview of the main characteristics of the CCIs in peripheral areas and explores synergy patterns, a significant procedure for sustainability, exchange of knowledge and practices, development of actions, promotion of innovation and local development. More specifically, the study incorporates formal networking through entrepreneurial practices and informal networking through social capital into the network theory of the cultural sector in peripheral areas of Greece. In order to identify the key traits and factors that contribute to synergies in the cultural sector, a two-stage research design has been employed. A qualitative approach based on structured interviews and relative importance index analysis to provide an assessment framework has been used. Results indicate that CCI synergy in peripheral areas depends primarily on social capital, which is extremely important in local policies rather than just entrepreneurial practices.

Economic insecurity and pension participation in Ghana’s music sector

ABSTRACT Economic insecurity represents an existential threat to many workers, not least those in the Creative and Cultural Sector (CCS). Based on recent survey data from Ghanaian musicians gathered between April 2022 and March 2023, this paper presents indicative findings which demonstrate a persistent pension savings gap, with only about one in seven musicians in the sample (14.6%) reporting participation in a pension scheme – explained by both demand-side reasons (i.e. indecision about enrolment, not having the financial wherewithal to contribute regularly or not knowing about existing pension schemes) and supply-side reasons (i.e. limited pension options developed with the involvement of musicians). The paper also finds that while education level, age, location, and marital/family status appear to be important factors, in relative terms, there was little evidence to suggest that any group was more likely than the other to participate in a pension scheme. To improve pensions uptake, the paper argues that a long overdue, deliberate policy strategy should involve piloting a dedicated group personal pension scheme for musicians and testing savings commitments in the case of voluntary schemes over the long term and short term, respectively, with both going hand in hand with pension literacy programmes and incentives, wherever necessary.

The Impact of Cultural Tourism Industry Policy on Guizhou Travelers' Usage Satisfaction

This study explores the impact of cultural tourism industry policy on travelers' usage satisfaction. As a cornerstone of the industry that advances the cultural sector, tourism plays a crucial role in promoting the realization of high-quality culture and tourism goals and significantly contributes to overall economic development. The potential insights on tourist satisfaction, essential for upgrading scenic spots, attracting tourists, improving service quality and user satisfaction, building an independent tourism brand, driving employment, and promoting regional economic development, are revealed in this study involving 380 respondents. The results show that tourists’ usage satisfaction with cultural tourism industry policy is influenced by policy perception, policy implementation, and overall policy development.

The role of cultural organisations in matters of equity, diversity, and inclusion

ABSTRACT Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues are relevant to all areas of society, including the cultural sector, which is characterised by systemic discrimination. Our research question is: how do artists and cultural workers perceive the role of cultural organisations in addressing EDI issues in the Canadian cultural sector? We conducted 65 semi-structured interviews with Canadian artists and cultural organisation workers to investigate this question. Our results show the difference in perception between artists and cultural organisation workers, particularly regarding grant programmes that promote equity, the role of education, and of cultural organisations. All agree on the importance of promoting EDI in the cultural sector. However, artists and cultural organisation workers sometimes have different ideas about how EDI can be promoted. Results point to better EDI training for workers in cultural organisations, more long-term funding for EDI projects, better communication of EDI initiatives, and better sharing of best practices among organisations.

The Potential of the Socio-Demographic Profile of the Visitor in the Museum's Product Strategy

One of the types of cultural sector institutions with a solid potential to use modern management methods are organisations dealing with cultural heritage management, such as castle museums. Today, however, these cathedrals of cultural tourism have to face the pressures of economic and social change to build public authority and recognition, but most importantly, to create interest and an attractive offer for their existing audiences and a hitherto unreached public. The present article aims to develop a systematic review of empirical experiences in the socio-demographic profile of visitors to selected castle museums, to identify untapped potential in the segmentation of museum audiences and to derive propositions for individual solutions aimed at increasing the attendance of selected castle museums. We used a triplet of separated Chi-square tests for each period to identify the socio-demographic profile. Non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis one-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) was used to test for differences in ordinal variables (age and education of visitors). In addition to the individual results for each single museum partially, we can identify through the most frequent, most represented and periodically repeated responses the typical visitor profile of the Castle Castle Museums as follows: female, 31 – 45 years old, secondary education with a high school diploma, working as an executive secondary educated professional employee. Such findings could be helpful in the future when creating so-called tailor-made products for the visitor.

When Prominence Overrules EminenceSubsidization of the Cultural Sectors in the Netherlands

What processes determine the allocation of state subsidies to a selection of cultural and artistic organizations? In the case of the Dutch cultural basic infrastructure (BIS) two main criteria are issued, namely quality and reputation. In this article, no attempt is made to define measures for artistic quality and reputation. Instead, it is observed by which criteria decision makers, public media, and artistic leaders refer to these concepts. The way in which the selection and granting are performed shows striking similarity with processes described in the literature. First, the theory of social comparison asserts that people in a shared activity compare opinions and abilities in a strife for growth. When technical constraints and limits impede the progress in ability, effort and attention shift to opinions on abilities of the members. In this social dimension, growth is more easily attained. This decoupling results into stagnation and inferior learning processes. Second, in an implicit elaboration of the social comparison theory, a model is proposed in which perceived quality and prominence determine which organization will receive price premiums. Perceived quality is indicated by the quality of the inputs and productivity assets. Prominence origins from media rankings and elicited preferences of intermediary organizations and affiliation with high-status actors. Prominence has more bearing in social processes in the institutional field than on quality indicators. This model provides a base for reputation bias among stakeholders of organizations. The theoretical approaches have been operationalized into an analytical framework. The framework appears to offer a powerful and accurate instrument to describe and explain courses of action and outcomes in Dutch cultural sectors. In discussion, it is questioned if it is wise to base a subsidization policy on social comparison. The strive for prominence in the institutional fields tends to overrule the search for quality and eminence. It is recommended to reconsider social comparison processes by reduction of the arbitrariness in the performance assessment and evaluation. In this respect, promising and high-quality performers are supported in their access to large audiences. It is proposed that the framework can be applied in all situations where resources and performance opportunities are allocated to a selection of executing actors. Choices will be based on a mix of past and future performances. The situations suited for application may vary from philanthropy to hard core and non-profit sectors to private business industries.

Panoramas, Keys to Unlock Complexity in Digital Humanities and Data Humanism Methodological Analysis, Performance Assessment and Cataloguing of 31 Real Cases

In the interdisciplinary landscape shaped by Digital Humanities (DH) and Data Humanism (DHu), panoramas represent immersive narratives and interactive environments that simplify access to complex, interdisciplinary content, serving as ‘sensory forms of knowledge’. However, the lack of shared definitions hinders their integration into cultural sectors, where professionals often struggle with the rapid adoption of new technologies. Therefore, this study highlights 31 panorama case studies as examples of their triggering effect and as a foundation for broader collaborative theoretical work aimed at developing standardised definitions.

Core functions, visitor friendliness and digitalisation: a comparative analysis of corporate museums’ performance

We exploit a rich dataset on Italian museums to investigate whether corporate museums’ service provision is quantitatively different from the provision by the rest of private museums and by the three different types of Italian publicly owned museums (whose classification is by organisational mode: traditional, autonomous, and outsourced). We consider service provision in the dimensions of core museum functions (research, collection management, dissemination) and visitor friendliness, and we also focus on digital services. We use count data models estimation methods and include controls referring to museums’ characteristics and contextual factors to account for possible confounding effects. Our analysis reveals that corporate museums do not provide more core services than other museums, as expected given the public good component of this category of services. Contrary to expectations, we find that corporate museums are not among the museums providing the largest number of services enhancing visitor friendliness. Finally, corporate museums provide more digital services than traditional public museums and private museums owned by churches, and not less than other museum types. We argue that this latter evidence may come from their interaction with the parent firm. Corporate museums’ higher levels of digitalisation may be seen as the effect of a knowledge spillover between the more profit-oriented business world and the non-profit cultural sector.

The relational forms of cultural-creative crowdfunding: A typology of practices through mapping platforms in Europe and Latin America

Cultural-creative crowdfunding (CCCF) intersects the culture sector production chain and alternative finance technology as a global web-enabled phenomenon for funding cultural-creative activities. Yet, busking or aspects of patronage are not new to artists and cultural-creative agents; the novelty is doing so through a virtual intermediator space, a crowdfunding platform (CFP). CFPs have proliferated worldwide but the literature is embryonic and lacks further elaboration on how platform dynamics can impact the funding/financing patterns of specific sectors. In the case of the culture sector, given its unique attributes, specificities, and relational structuring, the impact of crowdfunding requires even more conceptual development, systematization, and potential policy instrumentalization. Hence, this study explores how CCCF has evolved and what different models (and channels) within multiple platforms were developed under the CCCF umbrella. Based on a combination of methods (tracking and trawling, Delphi, and categoric analysis), the current research maps the CFPs focusing on culture-creative projects throughout Europe and Latin America. The aim is to conceptualize a broader typology of CCCF practices that can better serve the cultural-creative circuit. This work is among the first to pursue such CCCF typology bridging cross-disciplinary understanding and real-world practices. This research, therefore, offers implications for interdisciplinary academics, practitioners, and policymakers by enabling the nuanced comprehension of the relational forms of CCCF as multiple-practices, expanding its boundaries amid a vaster umbrella of possible web-enabled genre (sub-)models to be adopted, legitimized, and systematized in (and by) the culture sector.

Developing a Multitasking Augmented Reality Application for Theatrical and Cultural Content

Implementing digital technologies, such as augmented reality and 3D modeling, to various cultural sectors is an ongoing procedure, especially favorable after the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though such technologies are common to museums, galleries and archaeological places all over the world, little research or practical cases have been developed when it comes to theaters and theatrical costumes. The proposed research article describes the methodology of both reference material collection and application development, while an analysis of functions and aesthetic results are described, especially when it comes to 3D modeling. This paper’s aim is to reveal that theatrical operations (as part of the cultural sector) as well as structured parts (such as acts, performances and costumes) can be preserved and served to larger audiences via technological means, such as an augmented reality application.

ЕКОНОМІЧНИЙ АНАЛІЗ РІВНЯ ІННОВАЦІЙНОГО РОЗВИТКУ ЗАКЛАДІВ КУЛЬТУРИ АЗЕРБАЙДЖАНУ

Existing management mechanisms, such as planning and programming for the development of the cultural sector, despite their complexity and widespread use in the practice of managing the sociocultural sphere, do not provide sustainable results that can be achieved in the cultural sector in the context of the implementation of reforms in the budgetary sector and the use of programmatic financing of culture . It is absolutely necessary to develop and apply innovative technologies in the management process, taking into account the complexity of the tasks facing cultural subjects in connection with the adaptation of self-justifying management mechanisms, as well as taking into account the needs of a post-industrial (information) society, as well as updating the consumer audience of cultural products and services. The use of an integrated approach to the formation of innovative management mechanisms will improve management efficiency, as well as ensure the development of innovative processes both in the sphere of culture in general and in its individual subjects.The purpose of the article is to develop scientific and methodological recommendations for innovation models based on the use of integrated approaches in managing cultural enterprises and supporting development, as well as to study theoretical and methodological problems in the systematization of these methods. The methodological basis of the research in the article is the scientific work of the authors in the field of economics of culture, innovation management, management in the field of culture, as well as social partnership. The research was carried out on the basis of general scientific methods of research - a systematic approach, analysis and synthesis, methods of typological and comparative analysis, empirical methods.The object of the study is the sphere of culture, which needs conditions in which organizational and financial reforms are carried out, as well as the development and application of innovative management methods.The hypothesis of the study. In general, there is a great practical demand for research activities aimed at the relevance of the dissertation research topic, the development of the main directions and strategic priorities of the national economy of the cultural sphere of the region. The same can be said about the priorities of strategic management and the main directions of the regional industrial component, that those priorities and directions that we mentioned determine the goal, objectives, subject and object of this research work, presented on the basis of an assessment of the increased effectiveness of the management system for the development of the cultural sector municipal districts of the region. Presentation of the main material.The scientific novelty of the results of the research carried out by the authors is as follows: the essence of strategic management of the cultural sphere is determined as a targeted activity to create socio-economic and legal conditions for the regular and balanced development of the cultural space and meeting the needs of the population for cultural services; Methodological recommendations have been developed to improve the effectiveness of the process of strategic management of the regional cultural sector based on the implementation of promising management effects in the process of industry development.The originality and practical significance of thestudy.The practical significance of the article lies in the fact that the developed software-design method and the multidimensional assessment method can be applied in order to increase the innovative effects obtained from project activities in the sociocultural sphere. The practical significance of the article is also determined by the use of theoretical and methodological works proposed by state bodies and local governments, as well as the possibility of their use by the heads of economic entities of the specified region in the process of forming measures that can ensure the sustainable development of the cultural sphere of the region.Conclusions.The scientific novelty of the research results lies in the fact that scientific and methodological recommendations have been developed for improving and applying models of innovative management in the field of culture, and the use of an appropriate mechanism has been proposed to increase the innovative effect of the project program.Recommendations are given for optimizing management strategies in the field of culture for its further development.

Instrumenty unijnego wsparcia sektora kultury i sektora kreatywnego w okresie kryzysu migracyjnego (2015-2018) i pandemicznego (2020-2021)

INSTRUMENTS FOR EU SUPPORT TO THE CULTURAL AND CREATIVE SECTOR DURING THE MIGRATION (2015-2018) AND PANDEMIC (2020-2021) CRISES The migration and pandemic crises affected cultural and creative industries (CCIs) across Europe. The EU institutions reacted relatively quickly to the changes in the political landscape as a result of the waves of migration and to the need to assist cultural institutions and artists in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Union has proposed methods of support for artists and the arts that are supplementary to Member States. It is these EU cultural methods and instruments that are the subject of qualitative analysis, based on two research questions: 1). To what extent has the modification of instruments of support for the cultural and creative sectors (CCIs) had an impact on strengthening the European concept of intercultural dialogue? 2). Did the EU support instruments applied to the CCIs during the Covid-19 pandemic result in building the resilience of these areas? A qualitative analysis will be made of the European Union’s documents, reports and commissioned studies. The main research hypothesis of the analyses is: European crises contributed to the reconstruction of some of the substantive assumptions of programs dedicated to culture and creative industries, resulting in the widening of the field of influence of culture on other EU policies, reinforcing the principle of intersectorality.

Design for disassembly and cultural sites. The use of modular architecture and prefabrication in exhibition venues

The article discusses the use of modular architecture and prefabrication in exhibition venues, looking at the possibility of designing installations with multiple temporalities. Through four concrete experimentations, we discuss ways of repurposing precast modules in new layouts with different functional programs in line with the “design for disassembly” concept. The article also emphasises the relevance of the massive residential construction programme based on modular and prefabricated systems launched by the German Democratic Republic in the mid-1970s, and the importance of reducing the environmental impact of concrete production today. Moreover, aiming at the need to devise new strategies, it presents a research agenda towards the adoption of prefabricated modules or the cultural sector. The four cases presented here are derived from the experimental use of modular solutions by the Porto-based practice SUMMARY: the GOMOS system indicates that prefabricated modules may have a longer lifespan than traditional building layouts, as they can be repurposed, making their reuse economically viable and environmentally friendly; the “Infrastructure-Structure-Architecture” installation at La Biennale 2016 reflects on possible adjustments in the construction industry; the project for the 2018 YAP MAXXI showcases the design process of a temporary installation that becomes a permanent building; and the VR exhibition “The Reasons Offsite” addresses prefabrication as a portable dissemination project.

Research on the Current Situation and Countermeasures for the Development of the Digital Culture Industry in Shiyan City

With the advent of the digital era, the digital culture industry has become a crucial engine for economic growth and cultural innovation. This paper focuses on Shiyan City in Hubei Province, conducting an in-depth analysis of the current state of its digital culture industry. It identifies several challenges faced by Shiyan's digital culture industry, including small industry scale, insufficient diversification, a shortage of digital culture talent, and inadequate policy support. To address these issues and promote high-quality development of the digital culture industry in Shiyan City, the paper proposes the following countermeasures: strengthening policy guidance for the digital culture industry, establishing and improving mechanisms for talent cultivation and recruitment, actively fostering new business forms in the digital culture industry, and vigorously supporting leading enterprises in the digital culture sector.

STRATEGIC PLANNING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF CULTURAL AND ART ORGANIZATIONS

Strategic planning, originally designed for industrial enterprises to enhance business performance, has evolved into a widely adopted concept across various sectors, including cultural and art organizations. This study focuses on the processes of strategic planning in Kazakhstan, aiming to provide practical recommendations for implementing a strategic planning and management system in state cultural and art institutions. The research holds significant scientific and practical importance, especially within the context of modern society and the cultural industry's development. Investigation into strategic planning for cultural and arts organizations contributes to the formulation of effective strategies, fostering growth in the cultural sector. The authors conducted a comprehensive review, including an examination of scientific literature, content analysis, and a review of strategic documents, state programs, and reports from domestic and international organizations. The study evaluates the impact of Kazakhstan's new state strategic planning system developed in 2021 on the creation of strategic documents that facilitate the growth of culture and art in the country and the region. An analysis of existing strategic documents at regional, local, and institutional levels revealed shortcomings in areas such as document structuring and information transparency. Notably, the study identified issues in the newly implemented state strategic planning system, shedding light on its influence on cultural and arts development. The research's novelty lies in addressing the lack of similar studies on strategic management in cultural and arts organizations. The proposed sequence for forming strategic documents, emphasizing effective strategic management and planning in the cultural and arts sector, enhances the practical significance of this research.

FORECASTING INFLATION IN INDONESIA USING THE AUTOREGRESSIVE INTEGRATED MOVING AVERAGE METHOD

Indonesia faces significant economic challenges, particularly inflation, which affects the economic, social, and cultural sectors. High inflation can exacerbate poverty, alter consumption patterns, and contribute to social injustice, whereas low inflation can enhance national income and stimulate economic activities. Given its fluctuating nature, inflation in Indonesia requires accurate forecasting to inform policy-making and economic decisions. This study aims to forecast inflation in Indonesia for the next eight months using the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) method. Monthly inflation data from January 2020 to April 2024 obtained from Bank Indonesia were analyzed. The ARIMA model, suitable for short-term forecasting, was selected due to its ability to handle data trends, non-stationarity, and noise filtering. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) and Kwiatkowski-Phillips-Schmidt-Shin (KPSS) tests to ensure stationarity. Initial ADF tests showed the presence of a unit root in the original data and the first differencing data, but data became stationary after the second differencing. The KPSS test confirmed a unit root in the original data and trend stationarity after the second and third differencing. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression on the original data revealed a significant time trend, indicating deterministic trends. The optimal model identified was ARIMA(0,2,1) with AIC=51.81, as it met the criteria for normality, independence, and zero mean of residuals. This model effectively forecasts inflation from May to December 2024, which showed an increase with inflation values ​​of 3.02, 3.05, 3.07, 3.10, 3.12, 3.14, 3.17, and 3.19.

Civic Engagement and Cultural Heritage

In the current global context, the cultural sector faces various challenges related to funding, access, and participation. This paper aims to identify potential pathways for civic initiatives. The purpose of this narrative article is to discuss the role of civic engagement in protecting cultural heritage goods when public authorities fail to do so. The Romanian Law of Preserving Cultural Monuments is central to this discussion. It delineates the responsibilities of both governmental and non-governmental entities in safeguarding the nation's cultural heritage. Thus, the Herculane Project- situated in Băile Herculane (Herculane Baths), initiated by a Romanian non-governmental organization (NGO) offers invaluable lessons on the dynamics between civil society, public administration authorities, and the preservation of cultural monuments. The work presents a qualitative analysis of the mechanisms through which civic engagement has influenced the trajectory of the Herculane Project. It explores how local communities, NGOs, and grassroots movements have mobilized to advocate for the preservation of Băile Herculane's cultural heritage. The conclusion of this paper aims to demonstrate the relevance of contemporary civil societies in preserving cultural heritage goods. It underlines how the best practices employed by the NGO in charge of the Herculane Project can be applied to other cases while considering the dynamics of cultural heritage preservation.

New Perceptions and Representation in the Museum. The case of the Museu particular from the Perspective of Professionals in the Cultural Sector

The study analyzes and examines the Museu particular, project of 2021 that set out to turn everyday objects into museum pieces, thus making us appreciate more the heritage around us while acknowledging the role it plays in our lives. The analysis used a methodological model of evaluation with participative strategies. Semi-structured interviews with a range of professionals from the cultural heritage and museum sector provided opinions and feedback on the project. Consequently, it has been possible to establish the characteristics of the project, highlight its successes and identify areas for improvement in its aim to fully reach its target audience. Furthermore, at a time when the role of museums is in transition, this project has studied the notion of self-representation in exhibitions as well as how the digital environment can act as a space for creation, didactics, education and exhibition for cultural institutions.

Klass, kön och Shakespeare

Class, gender and Shakespeare. Elise Karlsson's Smuts This essay suggests that the use of Shakespeare in Elise Karlsson’s novel Smuts (2021) serves to accentuate and develop the novel’s thematic focus on work, precarity, class, and gender. Revolving around a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at a fictitious theatre in Stockholm, Smuts aligns itself with tendencies in Karlsson’s previous work as well as in contemporary Swedish literature: as an assistant script editor, its narrator is a freelance worker in an economy where work is precarious and perceived—despite the supposedly high status of her work in the cultural sector—as badly paid and, literally, meaningless. Shakespeare’s play becomes a focal point for these themes not just because of the extensive character parallels with Smuts, but also because the complex notions of class, work and female subjugation in Karlsson’s novel can be seen as developments of themes that are very much present in the play. In other words, Smuts is a good example of contemporary ‘working-class literature’ in Sweden, and as the essay suggests, it builds up its focus on precarity, class, and gender by means of intertextual parallelisms with Shakespeare.

Policies of Model Cities for Intellectual Property Protection and the Digitization Level of Cultural Industries: An Empirical Analysis Based on the DID Model

s: Within the realm of the digital economy, the cultural sector aligns with the times’ trajectory, experiencing a novel digital evolution, propelled by a mix of technological progress, shifts in market needs, and policy backing. This document aims to examine the effects and influence of the National Model City’s Intellectual Property Protection policy on the digital transformation of the cultural sector, and empirically investigates its role in boosting the digital transformation of this industry, particularly regarding the distinct efficacy and performance of intellectual property rights. Findings from the research indicate that enhancing the safeguarding of intellectual property rights plays a role in boosting the market competitiveness of the cultural sector and its associated products, alongside fostering consistent and robust progression in the industry’s growth. The research offers fresh theoretical insights and actionable advice for the digital evolution and metamorphosis of the cultural sector, aiding in deepening comprehension and advocating for the superior and advanced growth of the cultural sector within the digital economic sphere.