Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characteristics of Italian art restoration firms and factors influencing their adoption of laser technology

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Cultural Economics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Given the limited number of studies on this topic, the aim of this study is to better understand the characteristics of art restoration firms in Italy, with particular reference to their use of innovative technologies such as laser technology. The paper is supported by a survey conducted in a sample of 100 companies. The factors that have led firms to adopt or resist the adoption of the laser were identified and analysed. The results show that the main determinants of laser adoption are collaborative activities between the firms and universities and specific requests made by public institutions to use this technology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The data of the Studio di Settore SG51U is regularly updated by the Internal Revenue Agency; nonetheless, the most updated database is not available and the updated data has not been completely processed. The most recent reports (TG51U) are only available with reference to fiscal aspects.

  2. Annual report to Parliament (2005), Authority for the surveillance of public contracts for works, services and supplies.

References

  • Arthur, B., Ermoliev, Y., Kaniovski, Y. (1987). Path dependence processes and the emergence of macrostructure. European Journal of Operations Research, 292–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azzone, G., & Bertelè, U. (Eds.) (1998). Valutare l’innovazione: analisi e controllo degli investimenti. Milano: Etaslibri.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldwin, J., & Lin, Z. (2002). Impediments to advanced technology adoption for Canadian manufactures. Research Policy, 31(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balkin, D. B., Markman, G. D., & Gomez-Mejia, L. R. (2000). Is CEO pay in high-technology firms related to innovation? Academy of Management Journal, 43(6), 1118–1129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baptista, R. (2000). Do innovations diffuse faster within geographical clusters? International Journal of Industrial Organization, 18, 515–535.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Best, M. H. (Eds.) (1990). The new competition: institutions of industrial restructuring. Cambridge: Polity Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bikhchandani, S., Hirschleifer, D., & Welch, I. (1992). A theory of fads, fashion, custom and cultural change as informational cascades. Journal of Political Economy, 100, 992–1026.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cainarca, G. C., Colombo, M. G., & Mariotti, S. (1989). An evolutionary pattern of innovation diffusion: The case of flexible automation. Reserch Policy, 18, 59–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calderini, M., & Scellerato, G. (2005). Academic research, technological specialization and the innovation perfomance in European regions: An empirical analysis in the wireless sector. Industrial and Corporate Change, 14(2), 279–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Calende, J., & de la Fuente, J. M. (2003). Internal factors determining a firm’s innovative behaviour. Research Policy, 32(5), 715–736.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camuffo, A., & Cappellari, R. (1996). Le teorie neoistituzionaliste. In: G. Costa & R. C. D. Capellari (Eds.), Manuale di Organizzazione Aziendale. Torino: UTET.

    Google Scholar 

  • CENSIS (Eds.) (2003). Rapporto 2003. Milano: Franco Angeli.

  • Cohen, W. M. (1995). Empirical studies of innovative activity. In P. Stoneman (Ed.), Handbook of the economics of innovation and technological change. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, R. B., & Zmud, R. W. (1990). Information technology implementation research: A technological diffusion approach. Management Science, 36(2), 123–139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damanpour, F. (1992). Organizational size and innovation. Organization Studies, 13(3), 375–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, S. (Ed.) (1979). The diffusion of process innovations. Cambridge: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Aguila-Obre, A. R., & Padilla-Meléndez, A. (2006). Organizational factors affecting Internet technology adoption. Internet Research, 16(1), 94–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dewar, R. D., & Dutton, J. E. (1986). The adoption of radical and incremental innovations: An empirical analysis. Management Science, 32(11), 1422–1433.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dholakia, R. R., & Kshetri, N. (2004). Factors impacting the adoption of the internet among SMEs. Small Business Economics, 23(4), 311–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobbin, F. R., Edelman, L., Meyer, J. W., Scott, R. W., & Swidler, A. (1987). The expansion of due process in organizations. In L. G. Zucker (Ed.), Institutional patterns and organizations. Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fink, F. (1998). Guidelines for the successful adoption of information technology in small and medium enterprises. International Journal of Information Management, 18(4), 243–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, M. M., & Varga, A. (2003). Spatial knowledge spillovers and university research: Evidence form Austria. Annals of Regional Science, 37, 303–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freel, M. S. (2000). External linkages and product innovation in small manufacturing firms. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 12, 245–266.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freel, M. S. (2005). Patterns of innovation and skills in small firms. Technovation, 25(2), 123–134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frohlich, M. T., & Westbrook, R. (2002). Demand chain management in manufacturing and services: Web-based integration, drivers and performance. Journal of Operations Management, 20(6), 729–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, J. K. (Ed.) (1952). American capitalism: The concept of countervailing power. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gatignon, H., & Robertson, T. S. (1989). Technology diffusion: An empirical test of competitive effects. Journal of Marketing, 53, 35–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gemser, G., & Wijnberg, N. M. (2001). Effects of reputational sanctions on the competitive imitation of design innovations. Organization Studies, 2(4), 563–591.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geroski, P. A. (2000). Models of technology diffusion. Research Policy, 29, 603–625.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Griliches, Z. (1957). Hybrid corn: An exploration in the economics of technical change. Econometrica, 48, 501–522.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hannan, M., & Freeman, J. (Eds.) (1989). Organizational ecology. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemmert, M. (2004). The influence of institutional factors on the technology acquisition performance of high-tech firms: Survey results from Germany and Japan. Research Policy, 33(6–7), 1019–1039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hinings, B., & Greenwood, R. (1987). The normative prescription of organizations. In L. G. Zucker (Ed.), Institutional patterns and organizations. Cambridge: Ballinger Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoppe, H. C. (2002). Timing of new technology adoption: Theoretical models and empirical evidence. The Manchester School, 70(1), 56–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Iacovou, C. L., Benbasat, I., & Dexter, A. S. (1995). Electronic data interchange and small organizations: Adoption and impact technology. MIS Quarterly, December, pp 465–485.

  • Igbaria, M., Zinatelli, N., & Covaye, A. L. M. (1998). Analysis of information technology success in small firms in New Zealand. International Journal of Information Management, 18(2), 103–119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ireland, N., & Stoneman, P. (1982). The role of supply factors in the diffusion of new process technology. Economic Journal Conference Paper, pp 65–77.

  • Jaffee, A. B. (1989). Real effects of academic research. American Economic Review, 79(5), 957–970.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaffee, A., Trajtenberg, M., & Henderson, R. (1993). Geographical localization of knowledge spillovers as evidenced by patent citations. Quarterly Journal of Economics, 108, 577–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, R. A. (2004). Multiplant firms and innovation adoption and diffusion. Southern Economic Journal, 70(3), 661–671.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, M., & Shapiro, C. (1985). Network externalities, competition and compatibility. American Economic Review, 73, 424–440.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keizer, J. A., Dijkstra, L., & Halman, J. I. M. (2002). Explaining innovative efforts of SMEs: An exploratory survey among SMEs in the mechanical and electrical engineering industry in The Netherlands. Technovation 22(1), 1–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kimberly, J. R., & Evanisko, M. J. (1981). Organizational innovation: The influence of individual, organizational, and contextual factors on hospital adoption of technological and administrative innovations. Academy of Management Journal, 24(4), 689–713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal, K. (1999). Determinants of the adoption of Information Technology: A case study of electrical and electronic goods manufacturing firms in India. Research Policy, 28(7), 667–680.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lal, K. (2002). E-business and manufacturing industry: A study of small and medium-sized enterprises in India. Research Policy, 31(7), 1199–1211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leonard-Barton, D., & Deschamps, I. (1988). Managerial influence in the implementation of new technology. Management Science, 34, 1252–1265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundvall, B. (1988). Innovation as interactive process: From users–producer interaction to the national system of innovation. In G. Dosi, C. Freeman, R. Nelson, G. Silveberg, L. Soete (Eds.), Technical change and economic theory. London: Pinter Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malerba, F. (1992). Learning by firms and incremental technical change. Economic Journal, 102(413), 845–859.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mansfield, E. (1989). Industrial robots in Japan and the USA. Research Policy, 18, 183–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maxwell, J. R., & Wersterfield, D. L. (2002). Technological entrepreneurism characteristics related to the adoption of innovative technology. SAM Advanced Management Journal, 67, 9–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. W., & Rowan, B. (1977). Institutionalized organizations: Formal structure as myth and ceremony. American Journal of Sociology, 83, 340–363.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merhtens, J., Cragg, P. B., & Mills, A. M. (2001). A model of Internet adoption by SMEs. Information & Management, 39(3), 165–176.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moch, M. K. (1976). Structure and organizational resource allocation. Administrative Science Quarterly, 21, 661–674.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno, R., Paci, R., & Usai, S. (2005). Geographical and sectoral clusters of innovation in Europe. Annals of Regional Science, 39, 715–739.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, R. R. (1986). Institutions supporting technical advance in industry. R&D, Innovation and Public Policy, 76(2), 186–189.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nixon, B. (1995). Technology investment and management accounting practice. British Journal of Management, 6(4), 271–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nohria, N., & Gulati, R. (1996). Is slack good or bad for innovation? Academy of Management Journal, 39(5), 1245–1264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pavitt, K. (1991). Key characteristics of the large innovative firm. British Journal of Management, 2(1), 41–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pesarin, F. (2001) Multivariate permutation tests with applications in biostatistics. Chichester: John Wiley and sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pilati, M., Sandri, S., & Pilotti, L. (1993). Agency theory. Sviluppo & Organizzazione, 136, 81–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porter, M. E. (2003). The economic performance of regions. Regional Studies, 37(6&7), 549–578.

    Google Scholar 

  • Premkumar, G., & Roberts, M. (1999). Adoption of new information technologies in rural small business. OMEGA International Journal of Management Science, 27(4), 467–484.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M. (Ed.) (1995). Diffusion of innovations. New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolfo, S., & Calabrese, G. (2003). Traditional SMEs and innovation: The role of the industrial policy in Italy. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 15(3), 253–271.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, H., & Albaladejo, M. (2002). Determinants of innovation capability in small electronics and software firms in southeast England. Research Policy, 31(7), 1053–1067.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Romijn, H., & Albu, M. (2002). Innovation, networking, and proximity: Lessons from small high-technology firms in the United Kingdom. Regional Studies, 36(1), 81–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, N. (Ed.) (1982). Inside the black box: Technology and economics. Cambridge: University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sadowski, B. M., Maitland, C., & van Dongen, J. (2002). Strategic use of Internet by small- and medium-sized companies: An explanatory study. Information Economics and Policy, 14, 75–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Salimbeni, R., Pini, R., Siano, S., & Calcagno, G. (2001). Assessment of the state of conservation of stone artworks after laser cleaning: Comparison with conventional cleaning results on a two-decade follow up. Journal of Cultural Heritage, 1, 385–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santarelly, E., & D’Altri, S. (2003). The diffusion of e-commerce among SMEs: Theoretical implications and empirical evidence. Small Business Economics, 21, 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santoro, M. D., & Chakrabarti, A. K. (2002). Firm size and technology centrality in industry–university interactions. Research Policy, 31(7), 1163–1180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumpeter, J. A. (1942). Capitalism, socialism, and democracy. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Souitaris, V. (2002). Firm-specific competencies determining technological innovation: A survey in Greece. R&D Management, 32(1), 61–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsikriksis, N, Lanzolla, G., & Frohlich, M. (2004). Adoption of e-process by service firms: An empirical study of antecedents. Production and Operations Management, 13(3), 216–229.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitalone, G. (Ed.) (2004). Leadership in azione. Ruolo forme e stili di leadership nella vita delle organizzazioni. Milano: FrancoAngeli.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waarts, E., van Everdingen, Y. M., & van Hillegersberg, J. (2002). The dynamics of factors affecting the adoption of innovations. The Journal of Product Innovation Management, 19, 412–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, L. G. (1987). Institutional theories of organization. Annual Review of Sociology, 13, 443–464.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dip. Tecnica e Gestione dei Sistemi Industriali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Str.lla San Nicola 3, Vicenza, 36100, Italy

    Chiara Verbano, Giorgio Petroni & Anna Nosella

  2. Dipartimento di Economia e Tecnologia, Università degli Studi di San Marino, Montegiardino, Repubblica di San Marino

    Karen Venturini

Authors
  1. Chiara Verbano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Karen Venturini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Giorgio Petroni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anna Nosella
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chiara Verbano.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Verbano, C., Venturini, K., Petroni, G. et al. Characteristics of Italian art restoration firms and factors influencing their adoption of laser technology. J Cult Econ 32, 3–34 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-007-9053-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10824-007-9053-8

Keywords

JEL Classification

Search

Navigation