Assessing the role of digital technologies for the development of cultrual resources as socioeconomic assets

Abstract

The proliferation of new media, such as 3rd generation cell phones and various types of Pay/Cable TVs, is creating digital spaces that wait be filled with useful and appealing content. Among the most appealing, popular and useful contents are culture and heritage. Culture is proving increasingly important for stimulating mutual comprehension among different people from different areas of the world. With the emergence of the so-called boundaryless careers, it is becoming increasingly important for people to invest in culture in order to build one's own social, professional, and existential identity. At the same time, the competitive pressure of Asian Countries versus industrial sectors in Western economies is stimulating the search for non-reproducible economic assets such as cultural resources. The definition of models for valuing cultural heritage can positively affect economically 'emerging' countries which are often characterised by the presence of relevant artistic and archaeological sites, economically established countries with developed heritage and cultural infrastructures. © 2006 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.