Title: The role of museums in smart environments

Authors: Niccolò Fiorini; Costanza Noferi

Addresses: Department of Business and Law, University of Siena, Piazza San Francesco 7/8, 53100 Siena (SI), Italy ' University of Copenhagen, Maglekildevej 1, 5mf, 1853 Frederiksberg C, Denmark

Abstract: This study explores the role of museums in local communities, highlighting how they can promote sustainability and territorial development. By qualitatively analysing two case studies in Tuscany, the Mine Museum and the Chianti Sculpture Park, the research highlights how museum strategies are influenced by the intrinsic characteristics of museums, the surrounding environment and the role they aim to play. The findings show that museums can act as agents of change, contributing to local revitalisation and social inclusion, also pursuing an autonomous identity in the cultural landscape. The study highlights the importance of adapting museum strategies to the specific context, integrating digital technologies and sustainable practices to enhance the cultural and economic impact of museums within smart cities. Furthermore, this research proposes a first theoretical framework for understanding the factors influencing museum's strategies.

Keywords: museum; strategy; smart movement; cultural management; Italy.

DOI: 10.1504/PIE.2025.151222

Progress in Industrial Ecology, An International Journal, 2025 Vol.18 No.2/3, pp.244 - 263

Received: 15 Oct 2024
Accepted: 18 Feb 2025
Published online: 19 Jan 2026 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article