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Cultural Initiatives for Sustainable Development pp 373–400Cite as

The Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development: The Impact of Europeana

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Part of the book series: Contributions to Management Science ((MANAGEMENT SC.))

Abstract

The chapter analyses the digitalisation process as a driver of sustainable development in the cultural field, with particular attention to cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is among the most evident cases of relevance to sustainability; in fact, it risks a gradual extinction, at least in the units whose fragility may be irreversible (Macrì and Trimarchi 2015).

The exploratory research is divided into two phases: the first, on the desk, explores the theme of the digitalisation of cultural heritage in national and international literature as a tool to guide sustainable development. The second phase, on the job, analyses the management and growth of cultural heritage through the Europeana portal, as well as the contribution of a short interview with privileged observers from the sector.

This chapter helps improve the understanding and evaluation of digitalisation practices in the cultural heritage sector in Europe. We believe that our research may highlight some interesting elements that can contribute to the efficient use of technology in the cultural heritage sector.

This work is characterised by the offer of innovative profiles because the enhancement of cultural heritage through digitalisation represents an area of activity that, at present, does not find substantial systematisation in the Italian academic debate.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The report that follows the work of the 1983 World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) chaired by Gro Harlem Brundtland.

  2. 2.

    17 Goals: 1. No poverty; 2. Zero Hunger; 3. Good health and Well-Being; 4. Quality Education; 5. Gender Equality; 6. Clean Water and Sanitation; 7. Affordable and Clean Energy; 8. Decent work and Economic Growth; 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; 10. Reduced Inequality; 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities; 12. Responsible Consumption and Production; 13. Climate Action; 14. Life below Water; 15. Life on Land; 16. Pace and Justice Strong Institutions; 17. Partnerships to achieve the Goal.

  3. 3.

    In addition to the first there are: digital cataloguing, digitalisation, digital presentation, digital backup, digital preservation.

  4. 4.

    Group of 2500 cultural heritage professionals.

  5. 5.

    Although Eureopena has other profiles on other social networks, in this work, only those that it advertises on the official website are considered. The data reported are related to the observations made in March 2019.

  6. 6.

    It refers to the fact that the observation took place without direct intervention on social media; the collection of information was carried out through the study of posts, comments, photo and video galleries. No direct interaction with users and no intervention have been carried out on social channels.

  7. 7.

    This assessment is largely covered by a cost-benefit analysis carried out by a research institute of the Faculty of Economics of the University of Amsterdam see, commissioned by Europeana to assess the socio-economic value of its action. see http://www.seo.nl/en/home/

  8. 8.

    In order to simplify the reading of the interview results, from this point on, we refer to them as cultural heritage experts and digitalisation experts.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Professor Michele Trimarchi and Professor Rocco Reina for their contribution to this research work as privileged observers. The usual caveat applies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Law, Economics and Sociology, University of Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy

    Emanuela Macrì & Concetta Lucia Cristofaro

Authors
  1. Emanuela Macrì
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  2. Concetta Lucia Cristofaro
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Correspondence to Emanuela Macrì .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Business Studies, Roma Tre University, Roma, Italy

    Paola Demartini , Lucia Marchegiani  & Michela Marchiori ,  & 

  2. Department of Mathematics, Computer Sciences and Economics, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy

    Giovanni Schiuma

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Macrì, E., Cristofaro, C.L. (2021). The Digitalisation of Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Development: The Impact of Europeana. In: Demartini, P., Marchegiani, L., Marchiori, M., Schiuma, G. (eds) Cultural Initiatives for Sustainable Development. Contributions to Management Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65687-4_17

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