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New Technologies and Cultural Organizations (E204)

Programme: Postgraduate
Type: Elective course
Curriculum: Communication
& Culture
Semester: C
In collaboration with
G. Kalliris and
P. Tsarchopoulos

Description

The course examines the impact of technological developments on the creation, production, dissemination and reception of cultural goods and services. It focuses on the changes and transformations of the relations between artists, cultural organizations (profit and not-for-profit), and their public.

Emphasis is given to the opportunities and challenges for creators, organizations and audiences and the factors that influence innovation management (which is also analyzed). The course includes practical applications and analyses, which are important for understanding the new possibilities, maximizing their benefits, and meeting the challenges they pose for managers of cultural organizations.

 

Indicative syllabus

  1. Introduction, description, and analysis of the course main directions.
  2. Factors influencing the adoption and management of innovation by executives and practitioners in cultural organizations. The international experience and relevant research.
  3. Models of innovation management in cultural organizations. Innovation and strategy.
  4. Internet - Communication protocols - Addressing system - Internet services - World Wide Web (WWW) - Browsers - HTML and other programming languages for creating web pages.
  5. Web 2.0 - E-mail - RSS - Instant Messaging - Blogs - Wikis - Content Management Systems (CMS) - Mobile telephony and services - Tablets and e-books - ultra notebooks.
  6. Applications of digital audiovisual media. Digitization of sound and digital audio management. Sound technology on the Internet.
  7. Digitization of static and moving images (photos, films and videos). Digital media management, Internet applications, interactive multimedia applications and installations. Virtual tours.
  8. Presentation, analysis, and discussion of mid-term essays.

 

Objectives

  • Understanding the importance of new technologies for the operation of cultural organizations.
  • Understanding the factors that have either a positive or a negative impact on the innovation management in cultural organizations.
  • To practice the students in examining and analyzing the impact of the new technologies and the factors affecting innovation management in cultural organizations.

 

Readings / supportive material

Some texts are accessible through the campus net or through E-Learning. The suggested book is available in the School library. Articles appear in the order discussed in the course. Additional readings are suggested, depending on the essays.

  1. Kokkonis M., Paschalidis G., Bantimaroudis Ph. - eds. (2010): Digital Media: The Culture of Sound and Spectacle. Athens: Kritiki.
  2. Klinenberg, Eric & Benzecry, Claudio (2005): "Cultural Production in a Digital Age". Εισαγωγή στο αφιέρωμα του περιοδικού Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science με θέμα την παραγωγή πολιτισμού στην ψηφιακή εποχή. Vol. 597: 6-18.
  3. Stöber, Rudolf (2004): "What Media Evolution Is: A Theoretical Approach to the History of New Media". European Journal of Communication, 19(4): 483-505.
  4. Shane, Scott, Venkataraman, S. & MacMillan, Ian (1994): "The Effects of Cultural Differences on New Technology Championing Behavior within Firms". The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 5(2): 163-181.
  5. Shane, Scott, Venkataraman, S. & MacMillan, Ian (1995): "Cultural Differences in Innovation Championing Strategies". Journal of Management, 21(5): 931-952.
  6. Dawson, Brian (2008): "Facilitating Innovation: Opportunity in Times of Change". Museum Management and Curatorship, 23(4): 313-331.
  7. Healy, Michael (2008): "Experimentation and Innovation in U.S. Publishing Today: Findings from the Book Industry Study Group". Publishing Research Quarterly, 24(4): 233-239.
  8. Kretschmer, Martin; Klimis, George Michael; Wallis, Roger (2001): "Music in Electronic Markets. An Empirical Study". New Media & Society, 3(4): 417-441.
  9. Peacock, Darren (2008): "Making Ways for Change: Museums, Disruptive Technologies and Organisational Change". Museum Management and Curatorship, 23(4): 333-351.
  10. Tian, Xuemei & Martin, Bill (2009): "Business Models in Digital Book Publishing: Some Insights from Australia". Publishing Research Quarterly, 25(2): 73-88.
  11. Baltzis, A. & Veglis, A. (2008): "Measuring and Evaluating Interactivity in Websites of Musicians: Theoretical Implications and Empirical Research". Zitimata Epikinonias (Communication Issues), issue 8, pp. 121-141.

 

Course procedures / evaluation

Part of the course is carried out in the form of seminars including discussions upon the required and the additional readings. Apart from the analysis of the texts and the systematic approach of the theories and models of innovation management, the discussions aim at operationalizing concepts that might be used in relevant empirical studies. Other parts of the course focus on the possibilities and challenges posed by new technologies for the administration of cultural organizations and their target audiences. Research on specific technologies or case studies on (technological) innovation management in specific cultural organizations, are also included in this course. Performance is evaluated according to:

  • Mid-term essay presented and discussed by the end of the course - during the weeks 10 through 12 - that is a draft of the final essay (30%)
  • Final essay of 6,000 words (70%)

Information on the schedule of the mid-term presentations and the final essay due date is available in class. Information about the next exam session and the final essay due date can be found in the announcements page (provided that the exam dates have been announced).