The museum innovation model : a museum perspective on open innovation, social enterprise and social innovation

This PhD research has aimed to contribute towards building a museum perspective of innovation, a contribution that preserves the essence of the term but more importantly takes into consideration the unique role of museums in society. Hence, this research identifies museum innovation as the new or enhanced products, processes or business models by which museums can effectively achieve their social and cultural mission. To our knowledge, this is the first attempt for a museology research to provide a definition for innovation. Furthermore, this research presents a possible model of innovation in museums, called the Museum Innovation Model (MIM). The theoretical framework of the model is based on three concepts, open innovation, social enterprise, and social innovation, each of which, the research observes, are growing trends in the museum sector. These three concepts are interconnected and together can present a formula for innovation in museums. The formula is expressed simply as: museums that adopt social enterprise business model and utilize open innovation strategies are capable of achieving social innovation. The model aims to make innovation in museums scalable, replicable and feasible to start and operate. This research, also attempts to supply the museum studies literature with some terminologies and conceptual frameworks related to innovation. These new entries can bridge ideas and create common grounds with other disciplines such as business studies, which can facilitate future collaborations between academics and practitioners from both sides. Additionally, the clarity of innovation related concepts and terminologies within the museum context can provide the museum sector, internally, with a clearer, more effective, and eloquent way of communicating ideas, projects, goals, objectives, and expectations.