Business models transformation in the creative industries: Performing arts organizations in the post-COVID era

Rapid changes in the business models (BMs) of cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have occurred recently, owing largely to the dynamics accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and technological evolution, which have resulted in a strong interconnection between social, cultural, and digital challenges. The present review highlights the main changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the BM of 12 Italian performing arts organizations using a mixed research methodology (qualitative and quantitative) carried out through semi-structured interviews, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis, and an analysis of the economic-financial data of the organizations involved. The paper presents the study’s main findings and contrasts them with some recent scientific research on BM, allowing for comparison and debate on significant issues developed (new technologies and social and environmental impact). The uniqueness of the approach employed in this review lies in recognizing these characteristics, particularly the challenges of sustainability, as critical in producing value for CCI.