A centralized decentralization: outsourcing in the Turkish cultural heritage sector

Recently Turkey has experimented with reforming its highly centralized cultural heritage sector by outsourcing commercial activities at museums and archeological sites. We examine three outsourcing contracts executed in 2009-2010 and their implications for understanding New Public Management in Turk...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of cultural policy : CP 2014-01, Vol.20 (1), p.54-77
Main Authors: Shoup, Daniel David, Bonini Baraldi, Sara, Zan, Luca
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Archaeological museums
Archaeology
Art galleries & museums
Contracts
Cultural heritage
Culture
Decentralization
Decentralization in government
Gifts
Historic buildings & sites
Hospitality industry
Italy
Monopoly
Museums
New Public Management
Outsourcing
Public management
Subcontracting
Tourism
Turkey
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Summary:Recently Turkey has experimented with reforming its highly centralized cultural heritage sector by outsourcing commercial activities at museums and archeological sites. We examine three outsourcing contracts executed in 2009-2010 and their implications for understanding New Public Management in Turkey's cultural sector. The initial project at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum was soon superseded by a 'monopoly' model that outsourced gift shop and ticket collection services at over 50 museums and sites to single companies. All three projects have significantly increased visitor numbers and revenues for the revolving fund that controls commercial operations within the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Yet unlike countries such as Italy, where outsourcing has led to decentralization, increased private sector involvement in Turkey has increased the control of the central government. This 'centralized decentralization' is a distinctly Turkish approach that allows for modernization without disturbing a highly centralized administrative tradition.
ISSN:1028-6632
1477-2833
DOI:10.1080/10286632.2012.731051