Evolution of internal regulations of public cultural institutions in relation to the organizer's strategic documents
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12775/EiP.2026.6Keywords
public cultural institutions; cultural governance; New Institutional TheoryAbstract
Motivation: previous research on the external and internal conditions of the functioning of public cultural institutions inspired the analysis of conditions resulting from the organizers' strategic documents.
Aim: Aim of this study is to answer the following questions: whether, do the organizer's strategic regulations influence the internal organization of public theaters in Poland? Can these regulations influence the creation of formal conditions for co-management?
Results: The lack of clear procedural and subjective requirements influences the dependence of public cultural institutions' performance on individual, internal organizational solutions, suggesting the need for statutory unification of these processes and the issuance of implementing regulations. The current legal framework results in significant regulatory divergence across the country. Organizers, acting independently but in an uncoordinated manner, are crearors the management of public cultural institutions. The lack of uniform strategic documents causes discrepancies in management models.
References
1. Books (print):
Argyris, C., & Schön, D. A. (1978). Organizational learning: A theory of action perspective. Addison-Wesley
Christensen, T., Lægreid, P., Roness, P. G., & Røvik, K. A. (2007). Organization theory and the public sector: Instrument, culture and myth. Routledge.
Gray, C. (2015). The politics of arts in the age of austerity. Routledge. Kingdon, J. W. (1984). Agendas, alternatives, and public policies. Little, Brown.
Mahoney, J., & Thelen, K. (2010). Explaining institutional change: Ambiguity, agency, and power. Cambridge University Press.
March, J. G., & Olsen, J. P. (1989). Rediscovering institutions: The organizational basis of politics. Free Press.
Nelson, R. R., & Winter, S. G. (1982). An evolutionary theory of economic change. Harvard University Press.
O’Brien, D. (2013). Cultural policy: Management, value and modernity in the creative industries. Routledge.
Peters, B. G. (2015). Advanced introduction to public policy. Edward Elgar.
Pollitt, C., & Bouckaert, G. (2017). Public management reform: A comparative analysis – Into the age of austerity. (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
2. Books (online with or without DOI):
Gray, C. (2000). The politics of the arts in Britain. Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-62944-4
3. Journal articles (with DOI)
Ansell, C., & Gash, A. (2008). Collaborative governance in theory and practice. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 18(4), 543–571. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mum032
Belfiore, E. (2012). Defensive instrumentalism and the legacy of New Labour's cultural policies. Cultural Trends, 21(2), 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2012.674750
Bingham, L. B., Nabatchi, T., & O'Leary, R. (2005). The new governance: Practices and processes for stakeholder and citizen participation in the work of government. Public Administration Review, 65(5), 547–558. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2005.00482.x
Bjurstrøm K. H. (2020), Principal–Agent or Principal–Steward: How Ministry–Agency Relations Condition the Impact of Performance Management in the Steering of Government Agencies, Public Performance & Management Review, Vol. 43, NO. 5, pp. 1053–1077. https://doi.org/10.1080/15309576.2020.1739087
Clarke, J., & Newman, J. (2012). The alchemy of austerity. Critical Social Policy, 32(3), 299–319. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261018312444405
Davis J. H., & Schoorman F. D., & Donaldson L. (1997), Toward a stewardship theory of management, Academy of Management Review, vol. 22, nr 1, pp. 20–47. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1997.9707180258
Dicke L. A., Ott J. S. (2002), A test: Can stewardship theory serve as a second conceptual foundation for accountability methods in contracted human services? International Journal of Public Administration, vol. 25, nr 4, pp. 463–487. https://doi.org/10.1081/PAD-120013252
Donaldson, L., & Davis, J. H. (1991). Stewardship theory or agency theory: CEO governance and shareholder returns. Australian Journal of Management, 16(1), 49–64. https://doi.org/10.1177/031289629101600103
Dunlop, C. A., & Radaelli, C. M. (2013). Systematising policy learning: From monolith to dimensions. Political Studies, 61(3), 599–619. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9248.2012.00982.x
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Agency theory: An assessment and review. Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 57–74. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1989.4279003
Fama, E. F., & Jensen, M. C. (1983). Separation of ownership and control. Journal of Law and Economics, 26(2), 301–325. https://doi.org/10.1086/467037
Grundei J. (2008), Are managers agents or stewards of their principals? Logic, critique, and reconciliation of two conflicting theories of corporate governance. Journal fur Betriebswirtsch, vol. 58, pp. 141–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-008-0038-2?urlappend=%3Futm_source%3Dresearchgate.net%26utm_medium%3Darticle
Hadley, S. (2017). Austerity, cultural policy and the creative industries. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 23(6), 695–709. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286632.2017.1280784
Hadley, S., & Gray, C. (2017). Hyperinstrumentalism and cultural policy: Means to an end or an end to meaning? Cultural Trends, 26(2), 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1080/09548963.2017.1323836
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. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
March, J. G., & Olsen, J. P. (1984). The new institutionalism: Organizational factors in political life. American Political Science Review, 78(3), 734–749. https://doi.org/10.2307/1961840
McGuigan, J. (2010). Creative labour, cultural work and individualization. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 16(3), 323–335. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630903128597
Lambright K. T. (2008), Agency theory and beyond. Contracted providers’ motivations to properly use service monitoring tools. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, vol. 19, nr 2, pp. 207–227. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mun009
Oakley, K., & O’Brien, D. (2016). Learning to labour unequally: Understanding the relationship between cultural production, cultural consumption and inequality. Social Identities, 22(5), 471–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504630.2015.1128800
Rhine, A. S. (2006). A Great Confusion in Theater Management. The Journal of Arts Management, Law, and Society, 36(1), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.3200/JAML.36.1.33-47
Schillemans T., Bjurstrøm K. H. (2020), Trust and verification: balancing agency and stewardship theory in the governance of agencies. International Public Management Journal, Vol. 23, NO. 5, pp. 650-676. https://doi.org/10.1080/10967494.2018.1553807
Schlesinger, P. (2013). Expertise, the academy and the governance of cultural policy. Media, Culture & Society, 35(1), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/0163443712464557
Szulborska-Łukasiewicz, J. (2012). Culture institutions in Poland the specificity of organisation and financing. Zarządzanie w kulturze nr 13, pp. 305-328. https://doi.org/10.4467/20843976ZK.12.021.0799
Van de Ven, A. H., & Poole, M. S. (1995). Explaining development and change in organizations. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 510–540. https://doi.org/10.2307/258786
Van Slyke D. M. (2007), Agents or stewards: Using theory to understand the government the government-nonprofit social service contracting relationship. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, vol. 17, nr 2, pp. 157–187. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/mul012
Vestheim, G. (2009). The autonomy of culture and the arts: The impact of New Public Management on cultural policy in Scandinavia. International Journal of Cultural Policy, 15(2), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286630902806049
4. Web documents and sites
Kodeks Dobrych Praktyk w zakresie realizacji uprawnień i obowiązków organizatora instytucji kultury, a także określający zasady współpracy między organizatorem a instytucjami miasta Warszawa. Retrieved 30.08.2025 from https://kultura.um.warszawa.pl/-/kodeks-dobrych-praktyk
― Narodowa_Strategia_Rozwoju_Kultury_2004-2020 Retrieved 30.08.2025 from http://www.mkidn.gov.pl/media/docs/2019/20190617_Narodowa_Strategia_Rozwoju_Kultury_2004-2020_-_uzupelnienie_(2005).pdf
― Polityka kulturalna m.st. Warszawy Zarządzenie Prezydenta m.st. Warszawy nr 1007/2020 z dnia 5 sierpnia 2020. Retrieved 30.08.2025 https://um.warszawa.pl/waw/strategia/-/artykul-236
― Polityka Rozwoju Kultury 2020+ dla Miasta Łodzi (2013), Uchwała nr LIX/1252/13, Urząd Miasta Łodzi, Łódź. Retrieved 30.08.2025 https://uml.lodz.pl/kultura/wsparcie-kultury/polityka-rozwoju-kultury-dla-miasta-lodzi-2030/
― Poznański program dla kultury 2024-2028 uchwała Rady Miasta Poznań nr X/176/IX/2024 z dnia 5 listopad 2024. Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://bip.poznan.pl/bip/uchwaly/uchwala-nr-x-176-ix-2024-z-dnia-2024-11-05,95066/
― Program Rozwoju Kultury 2020+ Ewaluacja (2017). [Online]. DNA Miasta. Retrieved 30.08.2025 https://bip.uml.lodz.pl/files/bip/public/Urzad_Miasta/Ogoszenia_i_zawiadomienia/WKul_7271_DNA_PRK2020_171123.pdf
― Strategy „Gdańsk 2030 Plus Strategia Rozwoju Miasta” UCHWAŁA NR LIV/1363/22. Rady Miasta Gdańska. z dnia 29 września 2022 r. w sprawie przyjęcia Strategii Rozwoju Miasta Gdańska pn. „Gdańsk 2030 Plus Strategia Rozwoju Miasta”. Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://baw.bip.gdansk.pl/UrzadMiejskiwGdansku/document/552770/Uchwa%C5%82a-LIV_1363_22
― Strategia Rozwoju Miasta Katowice 2030 Uchwała nr LXV/1360/23 Rady Miasta Katowice z dnia 22 czerwca 2023 r. w sprawie przyjęcia Strategii Rozwoju Miasta Katowice 2030 Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://bip.katowice.eu/UrzadMiasta/ZamierzeniaIProgramy/dokument.aspx?idr=135539&menu=633
― "Strategia Rozwoju Krakowa Tu chcę żyć. Kraków 2030" podjęła Uchwałę nr VII/116/24, przez Radę Miasta Krakowa IX kadencji w dniu 3 lipca 2024 r. Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://www.bip.krakow.pl/?mmi=47
― Strategia Rozwoju Miasta Poznania 2020+ Uchwała nr XLI/708/VII/2017 Rady Miasta Poznań z dnia 24 stycznia 2017 r. Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://www.poznan.pl/mim/main/strategia-rozwoju-miasta-poznania-2020,p,14886.html
― Strategia Rozwoju Miasta Poznania 2030+ Uchwała nr VIII/143/IX/2024 Rady Miasta Poznań z dnia 24 września 2024 r. Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://www.poznan.pl/mim/wortals/strategia/-,p,78641,78658.html
― Strategia Rozwoju Województwa Mazowieckiego 2030+ „Innowacyjne Mazowsze” Uchwała nr 72/22 z 24 maja 2022 r. Sejmiku Województwa Mazowieckiego Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://mazovia.pl/pl/bip/dokumenty-strategiczne/strategia-rozwoju-wojewodztwa-mazowieckiego-2030-innowacyjne-mazowsze.html
― Strategia Rozwoju Województwa Pomorskiego 2030 uchwała nr 376/XXXI/21 z 12 kwietnia 2021 r. Sejmiku Województwa Pomorskiego Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://bip.pomorskie.eu/a,65261,w-sprawie-przyjecia-strategii-rozwoju-wojewodztwa-pomorskiego-2030.html
― Strategia Rozwoju Województwa Wielkopolskiego 2030 uchwała nr XVI/287/20 z 3 lipca 2020 r. Sejmiku Województwa Wielkopolskiego Retrieved 20.08.2025 https://bip.umww.pl/292---k_91---k_207---strategia-rozwoju-wojewodztwa-wielkopolskiego-do-2030
― Strategy Wroclaw 2030 Uchwała nr LI/1193/18 Rady Miejskiej Wrocławia z dnia 15 lutego 2018 r. w sprawie strategii rozwoju Wrocławia pod nazwą „Strategia Wrocław 2030" Retrieved 23.08.2025 https://baw.um.wroc.pl/UrzadMiastaWroclawia/document/34461/Uchwa%C5%82a-LI-1193-18
― Strategia Zintegrowanego Rozwoju Łodzi 2020+ (2012), Uchwała nr XLII/824/12, Urząd Miasta Łodzi, Lodz. Retrieved 23.08.2025 https://bip.uml.lodz.pl/uploads/tx_edgeregisters/297399/10849/BAr_p24_070_20240311.pdf
5. Reports:
Dworzański, P., Grochowski, M., et al. (2016). Culture — Present! Mapping the institutional cultural resources in Wrocław in 2011–2016 [Report]. Wrocław City Hall / Impart Festival Office / Cultural Information Point.
6. Legistation:
Ustawa z dnia 25 października 1991r. ― Ustawa o organizowaniu i prowadzeniu działalności kulturalnej [Act of October 25, 1991, on Organizing and Conducting Cultural Activities] (Dz.U. 1991 vol. 114 item 493) (Poland).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Katarzyna Smolny
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Stats
Number of views and downloads: 29
Number of citations: 0
