By referring to the European Green Deal, this paper analyzes the “intrinsic value” of cultural heritage by investigating the human-centered adaptive reuse of this heritage. This implies questions such as how to improve the effectiveness of reuse, restoration, and valorization interventions on cultural heritage/landscapes and how to transform a cultural asset into a place, interpreted as a living ecosystem, to be managed as a living organism. The autopoietic characteristic of the eco-bio-systems, specifically focusing on the intrinsic versus instrumental values of cultural heritage ecosystem is discussed in detail. Specifically, the notion of complex social value is introduced to express the above integration. In ecology, the notion of intrinsic value (or “primary value”) relates to the recognition of a value that “pre-exists” any exploitation by human beings. The effectiveness of transforming a heritage asset into a living ecosystem is seen to follow from an integration of these two values. In this context, the paper provides an overview of the different applications of the business model concept in the circular economy, for a better investment decision-making and management in heritage adaptive reuse. Matera case is presented as an example of a cultural heritage ecosystem. To conclude, recommendations toward an integrated approach in managing the adaptive reuse of heritage ecosystem as a living organism are proposed.

Blockchain technology is currently stimulating a broader process of social and industrial transformation impacting several potential areas of adoption (e.g. transactions, tracking and tracing solutions, authenticity, etc …). The acceptance of this technology represents a major challenge for the art ecosystem. The literature around relations and applications of blockchain in the art market is fragmented and fails to provide an understanding of the current/potential opportunities of this application. This paper explores how blockchain is being adopted in the art sector. By using a perspective of mobilizing organizational and institutional field theory, this study performs an explorative qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews with 15 experts from the art market. The findings underline the complexity of effective implementation of this technology, the contradictory positions regarding the benefits and business opportunities it offers, as well as the market players’ resistance to change and trust. The theoretical and practical implications are also discussed.