Embedding Inclusion in the Management Approach of Cultural Organization

This paper aims at analyzing the theme of inclusion of the physically and socially disadvantaged in the management of cultural organizations. The objective of the analysis is to investigate this subject in the context of change that has characterized recent years. The research analyzes whether current and emerging managerial approaches are consistent with or reflect the perspectives on inclusion promoted by the European Commission policies (in particular the Europe 2020 for a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe strategy), by the Council of Europe Faro Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, (2005), and by the UNESCO key documents. Furthermore, the analysis aims at understanding the peculiarities and characteristics of current and emerging managerial approaches in relation to this theme. For this purpose, research has been carried out in two phases: a theoretical analysis and an empirical investigation. The theoretical analysis focused on understanding the main managerial and economic approaches to the theme of inclusion in the cultural sector. The empirical analysis was structured in two main phases. In the first phase, interviews and meetings with key participants of the cultural sector were carried out. This phase aimed at gathering information to identify selected case studies that could constitute a sample of relevant cultural organizations that are promoting innovative managerial approaches to the issue of managerial inclusion and that could be relevant to our research topic. In the second phase, the research consisted of in-depth research interviews with representatives of key cultural organizations (In Italy and France) that have been implementing innovative perspectives to inclusion and that are recognized for inclusion practices. Based on this analysis, we developed new ideas and managerial perspectives: an innovative approach is proposed that is consistent with the European perspectives, also highlighting potential research development in the future.