Fostering excellence in business model management in arts and cultural organisations: insights from focus group research across Europe

Purpose In today’s business landscape arts and cultural organisations are challenged to search excellence of their business model management in order to create and deliver value in a more sustainable way. This study develops exploratory focus groups aimed to capture insights into the practical challenges, wants and needs that arts and cultural organisations across Europe address and face in managing and developing their business models. Design/methodology/approach Focus groups method has been applied. The methodology included seven focus groups involving arts and cultural organisations operating in different European countries. Findings The overall feeling emerging from focus groups is that there is an increasing pressure to proof the value of culture, e.g. economic, social, civic, progressively more in quantitative figures. Arts and cultural organisations are greatly concerned about their financial health and their ability to continue creating and presenting great arts and cultural events. At the same time, there is an acceptance that gaining financial resilience and sustainability can no longer be put off. Organizations are conscious that it is crucial to rethink their way of operating and to improve their value creation mechanisms to get sustainability. Nevertheless, the challenges to face and issues of change to get a more effective business model management are numerous and various. Originality/value The study sheds more light on “business dimensions” perceived by arts and cultural organisations across Europe, as particularly crucial for their survival and requiring proper management attention. In doing this, it offers fresh and valuable knowledge about aspects, factors, dimensions to take into account in managing business model.