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on Cultural Economics |
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Issue of 2026–04–20
five papers chosen by Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale |
| By: | Laura J. Noll (ZHAW School of Management and Law); Matthias Sahli (Bern University of Applied Sciences) |
| Abstract: | This article studies gender differences in museum exhibitions and examines how institutional visibility in art museums relates to outcomes in the secondary art market. We analyze more than 21, 000 exhibition records and link them to about 33, 000 painting auction transactions. We document three main findings. First, female artists remain substantially underrepresented in exhibitions, with persistent cohort heterogeneity. Second, on the auction market, artworks by women are more likely to reach reserve and sell, although average prices remain lower. Third, linking both markets, we construct an event-time exhibition exposure measure based on the timing of exhibitions around auctions and estimate dynamic responses. Auction prices increase three to five years after exhibitions, while sale probabilities show no systematic reaction, with effects concentrated among male artists. Finally, exploiting the Guerrilla Girls’ 1989 campaign as an activist shock, a difference-in-differences design yields suggestive evidence of a modest and only temporary shift toward female exhibitions in the United States. Overall, the results highlight exhibitions as a key allocative mechanism in cultural markets and illustrate how institutional visibility and activism may shape market outcomes. |
| Keywords: | Exhibition, Auction, Empirical, Art, Signal, Applied Econometrics, Cultural Economics |
| JEL: | Z11 |
| Date: | 2026–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:cue:wpaper:awp-04-2026 |
| By: | Nicolas Remond (CRIEG - Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Economie Gestion - MSH-URCA - Maison des Sciences Humaines de Champagne-Ardenne - URCA - Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne, REGARDS - Recherches en Economie Gestion Agroressources Durabilité et Santé - CRIEG - Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire Economie Gestion - MSH-URCA - Maison des Sciences Humaines de Champagne-Ardenne - URCA - Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne) |
| Abstract: | This paper presents a longitudinal and historical analysis of Twin Peaks (1990–1991) and its late sequel The Return (2017), used as an empirical object to examine the dynamics of patrimonialization and organizational heritage. By articulating memory, temporality, and reinvention, the analysis reveals a dual movement: the consolidation of a collective cultural heritage and its creative deconstruction. Theoretically, patrimonialization is conceived as an organizational heritage process in which collective memory becomes a strategic resource — not a fixed legacy, but a driver of creation and transformation (Taupin, Le Masson & Segrestin, 2024). Methodologically, serialized fiction constitutes an empirical object for observing tensions between identity and innovation across three corpora spanning three decades (1990–1992–2017). Finally, the paper highlights the managerial relevance of this analysis: Twin Peaks illustrates how organizations, like cultural universes, mobilize their heritage to reinvent themselves without betraying it — between memory, temporality, and creation. |
| Abstract: | Cette recherche propose une analyse longitudinale et historique de Twin Peaks (1990–1991) et de sa suite tardive The Return (2017), mobilisés comme objet d'étude pour examiner les dynamiques de patrimonialisation et d'héritage organisationnel. En articulant mémoire, temporalité et réinvention, l'analyse met en lumière un double mouvement : la consolidation d'un patrimoine culturel collectif et sa déconstruction créative. Sur le plan théorique, la patrimonialisation est envisagée comme un processus organisationnel d'héritage dans lequel la mémoire collective devient une ressource stratégique — non un héritage figé, mais un levier de création et de transformation. Sur le plan méthodologique, la fiction sérielle constitue un matériau empirique permettant d'observer les tensions entre identité et innovation à travers trois corpus sur trois décennies (1990–1992–2017). Enfin, cette recherche souligne la portée managériale de l'analyse : Twin Peaks illustre comment les organisations, à l'image des univers culturels, mobilisent leur héritage pour se réinventer sans le trahir — entre mémoire, temporalité et création. |
| Keywords: | Twin Peaks, Analyse historique, Analyse longitudinale, Fiction sérielle, Temporalité, Héritage organisationnel, Patrimonalisation |
| Date: | 2026–04–02 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05580564 |
| By: | Ferreira, Julio Cesar Valente; Tavares, Vitor Pedro da Silva Castelo; Regis, Rafael Dirques David; Diniz, Gabriela Rodrigues |
| Abstract: | Nas últimas décadas, com a consolidação das indústrias tecnológicas e novos mercados informacionais, a exportação cultural tornou-se uma ferramenta política central para muitas nações. A China, por exemplo, tem implementado uma política cultural estratégica alinhada ao seu projeto de "rejuvenescimento da nação chinesa", buscando fortalecer o nacionalismo e sua projeção internacional. O governo chinês, sob a liderança do Partido Comunista, tem priorizado a indústria cultural como um veículo de soft power, promovendo valores sociais tradicionais, especialmente confucionistas, em alinhamento com o socialismo moderno. A metodologia adotada envolveu a realização de uma revisão narrativa sobre as interconexões entre as estratégias de produção cultural chinesa e o uso de elementos nacionais desta estirpe, suportada pelos relatórios governamentais, em especial pelos planos quinquenais de desenvolvimento cultural, e análises de relatórios de think tanks internacionais. A China também tem investido em clusters culturais, aglomerados industriais que estimulam a inovação e a colaboração entre empresas e instituições. Embora esses clusters tenham enfrentado desafios como desigualdade de desempenho e dependência de investimentos externos, eles têm sido essenciais para o desenvolvimento econômico e cultural, destacando-se em cidades como Pequim e Xangai. Ao combinar tecnologia, cultura e controle ideológico, a China busca consolidar sua influência global e fortalecer a identidade nacional. |
| Date: | 2025–07–15 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:osf:socarx:vm6ah_v1 |
| By: | Marcello D’Amato (University of Naples Federico II and CSEF, University Suor Orsola Benincasa); Francesco Flaviano Russo (University of Naples Federico II and CSEF) |
| Abstract: | We explore whether and how the similarity of pre-existing cultural traits between ethnic groups in the former colonies and colonizers contributes to explain the legacies of colonization. We find higher levels of income per capita, and a lower probability of a “Reversal of Fortunes”, in the territories where the local population had more similar oral traditions to the colonizers and where the dispersion of this folklore similarity was smaller. Exploring the mechanisms, we find that more oral tradition similarity, and less dispersion, are associated with more similar (de iure) constitutions established at independence, a higher frequency of a direct colonial rule, more conversions to Christianity and better education. |
| Keywords: | Colonial Relationship; Culture; Orality; Folklore Narratives; Historical Development |
| JEL: | J15 Z10 |
| Date: | 2026–03–25 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:sef:csefwp:774 |
| By: | Giulia Nevi; Olivier Nicolas (LARSH - Laboratoire de Recherche Sociétés & Humanités - UPHF - Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France - INSA Hauts-De-France - INSA Institut National des Sciences Appliquées Hauts-de-France - INSA - Institut National des Sciences Appliquées); Luca Dezi; Gian Luca Gregori |
| Abstract: | Purpose -Often associated to the cryptocurrency markets and to future metaverses, the NFT market and its determinants must be investigated on their own. Many determinants of consumer behaviors with NFTs remain undetermined. Besides early adopters, a significant population of followers has yet to start purchasing NFTs. This paper aims to explore identity-related determinants of followers' engagement with NFTs around the personal and social identity theories as well as identity projects.Design/methodology/approach -This study is based on 34 semistructured interviews with respondents from France, Italy and India who self-identify as NFT followers. The data were analyzed using a simplified version of the Gioia method to explore motivations and identity expression through NFTs. The theoretical framework is grounded in personal and social identity theory and identity projects.Findings -The authors detail specific features of NFTs followers compared to fans or purchasers. They share purchasers and fans economic and technological perceptions associated to NFTs, but their emotions toward NFTs are contrasted. They give great importance to communities but are much concerned by potential dark sides. If they do not purchase NFTs so far, they incorporate them into their identity process and identity projects, even if such projects appear rather unstructured, as are their self-presentations.Research limitations/implications -Cultural replication as other methodological approaches as netnography and longitudinal is needed to disentangle both NFTs as identity issues. This research extends the understanding of dimensions that could influence the adoption and diffusion of a new technology by investigating NFTs followers.Practical implications -Managers could apply the investigated dimensions to structure strategies to convert NFTs followers and optimize their impact on NFT business.Originality/value -To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies to address NFTs from a deep perspective of followers of a digital consumption phenomenon. It offers insightful reflections on |
| Keywords: | Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) Digital consumption Technology adoption Identity projects Online communities Innovation diffusion Sustainability, Non-fungible tokens (NFTs), Digital consumption, Technology adoption, Identity projects, Online communities, Innovation diffusion, Sustainability |
| Date: | 2026–02–09 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05577144 |