The unfolding consequences of digital inequality in the cultural heritage field: Diffusion of digital innovation in Latvia's museum sector

• In Event: Transformations and Challenges in Memory Institutions: Navigating Museums and Archives in the 21st Century

Abstract

The study explores the seemingly inbuilt paradox between museums and digital innovation. On the one hand, we perceive museums as “guardians of tradition whose duty is precisely to resist change” (Dewdney, 2020, 69) who wish to maintain the status quo and mindset of the conservative, risk-averse field, but limited resources leave organisations detached from the society they serve (Baldwin & Ackerson, 2017, 162–163). On the other hand, the museum sector has been affected by digital innovation “more than any other innovation in the last thirty years” (Walhimmer, 2015, 9) and has fundamentally changed both the museums and societal expectations.
In response to critical voices that highlight insufficient discussions in theory and a lack of representative research, the author aims to examine the diffusion of digital innovation in the museum sector. This study focuses on institutional aspects against the backdrop of the digital divide or inequality, exploring its consequences in fulfilling the museum's three core functions.
The empirical study employs a mixed design, incorporating data from a representative survey, statistics, and 21 semi-structured interviews. The methods include correlation analysis and a hybrid thematic analysis (Swain, 2018). This approach allows the development of a 21-element matrix under sub-categories of the innovativeness-needs paradox, socio-demographic factors, usage gap, and social desirability. The implications of these factors are then examined in relation to the core functions of museums, namely preservation, research, and communication.
This study was undertaken with the support of AABS through the Aina Birnitis Fellowship in Humanities for Latvia 2023.

Short Bio

Elina Vikmane, PhD
She serves as the director of the postgraduate program "Cultural Heritage Governance and Communication" at the Latvian Academy of Culture and works at the Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies.
She is a recipient of the "Emerging Scholar Award 2021" by the Inclusive Museum Research Network and a recipient of AABS Aina Birnitis Fellowship. In 2023, Elīna Vikmane defended her doctoral thesis "Advancing Cybermuseology: Diffusion of Digital Innovation in Latvia's Museum Sector” and embarked on an exploration of participatory engagement within museum education practice.
Elīna Vikmane has been re-election to the board of the Latvian Museum Association and has been actively engaged in the Digital Transformation Working Group of the Network of European Museum Organisations (NEMO).

Anda Laķe, Dr.sc.soc.
She is the Vice-Rector of the Academy in Scientific Work and the Head of the Scientific Research Center.
Professor Laķe is the expert of the Latvian Council of Science in Humanities and Social Sciences, cultural sociology, political sociology, policy impact assessment and social research methodology. She supervises and reviews doctoral theses developed in social sciences and humanities, advises students and practitioners on issues of methodology and methods of academic and applied research, as well as development of policy impact assessment and planning documents.

Author

• Elīna Vikmane, Institute of Arts and Cultural Studies, Latvian Academy of Culture