What’s in a museum name? A study of name changes among Danish museums

Authors

  • Line Schmeltz Aarhus University Aarhus BSS, School of Business and Social Sciences Centre for Corporate Communication
  • Anna Karina Kjeldsen Aarhus University Aarhus BSS, School of Business and Social Sciences Centre for Corporate Communication

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5617/nm.4405

Keywords:

museum names, institutional theory, corporate Identity, Corporate Branding, Strategic communication, multiple case study

Abstract

In recent years, Danish museums have experienced ideological, political and structural changes. Simultaneously, a wave of name changes has swept over the field. From a branding perspective, the change and choice of new name can be understood as an attempt to stand out from the group of museums. Conversely, from an institutional perspective, the name change can be perceived as a way to claim membership of the transformed museum landscape. This paper presents a study of ten public museums that have all recently changed their names. Findings suggest that name change is employed as a means to claim category, territory but also distinctiveness. Further, the study reveals different practices regarding the use of the term “museum”, with practical implications for a museum name change as a way to communicate a balance between fitting in and standing out.

Author Biographies

Line Schmeltz, Aarhus University Aarhus BSS, School of Business and Social Sciences Centre for Corporate Communication

 

Anna Karina Kjeldsen, Aarhus University Aarhus BSS, School of Business and Social Sciences Centre for Corporate Communication

Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Aarhus University

Aarhus BSS, School of Business and

Social Sciences

Centre for Corporate Communication

Jens Chr. Skous Vej 4

DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark

 

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Published

2017-03-08

Issue

Section

Articles