The internationalization of Italian art and archaeological museums: A qualitative study
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Copyright (c) 2025 Barbara Francioni
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13138/2039-2362/3968Abstract
International management literature has extensively examined the internationalization processes of manufacturing firms, yet museums remain an understudied area. This paper seeks to address this gap by analyzing the internationalization strategies of Italian art and archaeological museums and exploring the factors that have recently influenced their internationalization initiatives. Based on interviews conducted with seven museums, the study explores the unique internationalization processes of Italian art and archaeological museums. The findings show that, beyond attracting foreign tourists, they actively cooperate with foreign museums (through loans and temporary exhibitions) and research centers (via joint research initiatives). Additionally, museums have recently intensified their digitalization efforts to engage a global audience. This study offers valuable insights into the complex dynamics of museums’ internationalization. It emphasizes the importance of qualified staff, strong network ties, and effective use of social media in facilitating international expansion. At the same time, it highlights key challenges, including the delicate balance between internationalization and preserving authenticity, as well as managing bureaucratic obstacles in the process.
La letteratura sul management internazionale ha esaminato ampiamente i processi di internazionalizzazione delle imprese manifatturiere, mentre i musei rimangono un’area ancora poco studiata. Questo studio si propone di colmare questo gap analizzando le strategie di internazionalizzazione dei musei italiani d’arte e archeologia e i fattori che hanno recentemente influenzato le loro iniziative internazionali in tale ambito. Basato su interviste condotte con sette musei, lo studio indaga i caratteristici processi di internazionalizzazione dei musei italiani d’arte e archeologia. I risultati mostrano che, oltre ad attrarre turisti stranieri, i musei collaborano attivamente con istituzioni estere, sia attraverso prestiti e mostre temporanee con altri musei, sia mediante iniziative di ricerca congiunte con centri di ricerca internazionali. Inoltre, i musei hanno recentemente intensificato gli sforzi di digitalizzazione per coinvolgere un pubblico globale. Questo studio offre spunti preziosi sulle complesse dinamiche dell’internazionalizzazione dei musei, evidenziando l’importanza di personale qualificato, solide reti di contatti e un uso efficace dei social media per facilitare l’espansione internazionale. Allo stesso tempo, sottolinea le principali sfide, tra cui il delicato equilibrio tra internazionalizzazione e conservazione dell’autenticità, nonché la gestione degli ostacoli burocratici nel processo.
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