Abstract
This book examines the issue of governance and management of museums. It shows the museum as a cultural institution that can be analyzed from: genetic-historical, museological, cultural, functional, sociological, statistical, economical, managerial, marketing, and administratively correct aspects.
This publication examines the following problems: The theoretical part outlines the history of the museum and characterizes the three "classical" (commonly referred to) functions of the museum: the function of remembrance, learning, and experience. It has been concluded that other functions related to the museums are arising from their present work such as being a research institution (ie. the visitor center), environmental education centers, and institutions of tourism.
The focus of the research is placed on an analysis of the economics of museums and their management. The authors seek new management approaches in the strategic and operational management of museums, human resource management, public relations and the marketing of museums.
It formulates bases of the demand oriented method of museum management, creates a management model of a museum "doing the right things right and properly communicating them", proposes ideas of how to manage the museum via system and process, and how to use available management methods. In the field of economics, museums are formulated on the principles of economy and financial management of public museums, they seek ways to increase the economic self-sufficiency of museums and define approaches to managing costs and achieving reasonable savings.
The book includes eight case studies in the field of museums in the Czech Republic. It is mainly about the study, which is based on the authors' experience with the publication regarding museum management and the activities aimed at museums.
The book has theoretical contributions as well as practical benefits. The theoretical conclusions are based on an empirical exploration of the reality of functioning museums which can be a source of information on how to implement museum goals by reducing legislation, how to efficiently protect the collection and effectively preserve, how to work with the budget and property of the museum in an economical fashion, how to motivate and encourage employees to effectively implement the presentation and marketing of the museum.
Finally, the results of the research may be used as a source of information for the sponsors of government bills concerning the formation and management of museums and their economic operation.