Collaborations Among Cultural Heritage Sites: A Network Analysis Perspective

Abstract

Collaboration is the foundation upon which progress, innovation, and success are built across every aspect of business activity. While extensively studied in literature, with a predominant focus on profit organisations and public-private partnerships, there remains a notable gap in understanding collaborative patterns among cultural institutions. To address this gap, we adopt a network analysis perspective to explore the untapped potential of collaborations among archaeological parks in Sicily, Italy, which form part of a broader cultural system. Employing surveys for data collection, we assess whether archaeological parks are inclined, neutral, or reluctant to engage in future collaborations with the other parks of the system. Our findings reveal a network of potential collaborations and underline the mediator roles assumed by some parks in facilitating the formation of other partnerships. Despite the insights gained, we acknowledge the limitations inherent in our research. Then, we identify future research avenues within this research domain, emphasising the need for continued investigation into collaborative dynamics among cultural institutions.