Developing a scale for measuring the perceived value of cultural institutions

Abstract

Previous research into the value of cultural institutions has emphasized a variety of benefits arising from cultural institutions such as social, educational and health-related impacts. An economic assessment of cultural institutions is usually made in monetary units. This one-dimensional assessment of value has been criticized for being elusive, disregarding the complex and multidimensional nature of cultural values. This article suggests scales for measuring the value of cultural institutions. Based on previous research, and an exploratory study on the perceived value of cultural institutions, this article describes the development of a scale using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Six factors comprise the scale: social, educational, health, image, identity and financial effects. The scale may be used to describe and compare the value of cultural institutions qualitatively. Conclusions about the perceived contribution of different institutions may be possible. From a policy perspective, the scale may allow an understanding of the contribution individuals with different socioeconomic backgrounds perceive the cultural institution as making.

Keywords:

• perceived value
• cultural institutions
• scale development
• socio-cultural value
• factor analysis
• public goods

Notes

1 (ICOMOS, 1979 [revised 1981, 1988, 1999]).

2 There is an on-going discussion on whether the correlation of residuals is an appropriate way to increase model fit. Among others, Fornell (1983), Gerbing and Anderson (1984) and Bagozzi question the correlation of measurement residuals. (If error terms are kept uncorrelated, CMIN/DF = 2.134; CFI = 0.887 and RMSEA = 0.079).