ABSTRACT\ud Purpose - The paper aims at exploring the consistence of an ecosystem framework in the cultural sector and investigating the potential role IC in cultural ecosystems. \ud Design/methodology/approach - The paper presents the results of an empirical research on a specific area of Northern Italy, the Po Delta region. The investigation was based on a sound theoretical analysis and carried out through group interviews on three main discussion topics.\ud Findings - The research validated the consistence of ecosystem frameworks for the cultural sector and the key role played by IC in their design, creation and implementation. It also highlighted that the ecosystem perspective is part of a broader rethinking process of the cultural field.\ud Research limitations/implications - The research was carried out in a specific geographical area. The results, however, invite for further research on the potential of IC in cultural ecosystems, also in a comparative and international perspective.\ud Practical implications - The research highlights the emergence of new frameworks in the cultural sector and highlights the role of intellectual capital in new governance models in the cultural field.\ud Social implications - The analysis underlines the need for new governance systems based on bottom-up approach, multi-level and multi-stakeholders frameworks, pointing also to potential important societal changes. \ud Originality/value - The concept of IC ecosystems is still a quite unexplored field in the cultural sector. This paper could contribute to the debate on the most suitable governance system

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to point out whether Italian cultural organizations recognize, measure and manage intellectual capital (IC).Design/methodology/approachAn empirical research on the subject of (IC) in cultural organizations has been carried out. Interviews have been realized with directors of Italian cultural organizations and a questionnaire submitted to a sample of 100 individuals involved in the Italian cultural sector.FindingsItalian cultural organizations recognize the importance of IC, but they do not measure IC. Nonetheless, they claim to manage IC, even if they do not measure it through numerical indicators. A non‐metric approach for the visualization of IC has been rejected, as well. Controversial and ambiguous statements are discussed.Research limitations/implicationsThere is a gap between the directors' statements and their organizational behaviour. Most of them declare the need for IC numerical indicators, but only in one case is an overall IC performance measurement system in place.Practical implicationsThe usefulness of the paper is that practitioners may reflect on the obstacles to the implementation of an IC measurement system in cultural organizations.Originality/valueCultural organizations are “unknown terrain” in terms of research into IC and may therefore suggest an innovative path for the analysis of IC. In this context, the paper discusses the need for either a metric approach or a non‐metric approach for the representation – and then the management – of IC.

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Purpose – This paper aims at analyzing the state of participatory governance and management together with the sustainable development principles in a rural cultural landscape, focusing on the specific case of Takht-e Soleyman World Heritage Site (WHS).\ud Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents the results of an empirical study carried out within the boundaries of a well-defined Iranian location, the Takht-e Soleyman WHS. It is based on a rigorous theoretical analysis, accompanied by in-depth interviews with the key actors in the heritage management and governance sectors, and large-scale surveys of the local population through the circulation of a questionnaire.\ud Findings – A measurable difference between the demonstrated and accepted theory and the participatory governance and management system implemented in Takht-e Soleyman WHS was observed, where the local community influence was found to be rather insignificant. Although the management plan of the site contains explicit clauses recommending and specifying the role of local community participation, strategies and mechanisms for implementing these measures are clearly under present. \ud Originality/value – Participatory governance and management in a rural cultural landscape WHS are challenging concepts and the instances of their implementation require thorough analysis. The study detailed in this paper makes a valuable contribution to the debate on the design and implementation of participatory governance and management systems in this field by examining the actual extent of successful implementation of theoretical values in the case of Takht-e Soleyman WHS and identifying the key factors, which contribute to this state.\ud Keywords Participatory governance and management, Rural cultural landscape, Sustainable development, Takht-e Soleyman WHS \ud Type of paper Research pape