Digital Sustainability of Heritage: Exploring Indicators Affecting the Effectiveness of Digital Dissemination of Intangible Cultural Heritage Through Qualitative Interviews

Abstract

Currently, the digitization of heritage has become a research hotspot, but there remain gaps in evaluating the effectiveness of its digital dissemination. This qualitative study explores the indicators influencing the effectiveness of digital dissemination of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), with a special focus on Shu brocade weaving techniques, which is the national ICH item of China and has a high cultural, economic, and artistic value. Original data for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews with the most representative stakeholders. Based on the grounded theory, interviews were further analyzed through NVivo software 14, and 30 indicators were identified. The results of this study reveal the importance of indicators related to the authenticity and integrity of cultural connotations as well as the transmission of traditional skills, especially through stakeholder participation, in the digital dissemination of ICH. This study emphasizes the significance of improving the effectiveness of digital dissemination for the sustainable development of ICH and the preservation of precious culture for future generations.