Measuring Cultural Sustainability: A Comparative Analysis of South Korea, China, and Japan Using the Cultural Sustainability Measurement Index(CSMI)

Abstract

Cultural sustainability, recognized as the fourth pillar of sustainable development, has gained increasing prominence in recent years. This study proposes a comprehensive Cultural Sustainability Measurement Index (CSMI) that integrates four key dimensions: cultural, economic, governance, and environmental. To check the validity of the CSMI, the study employs correlation analysis to establish the interconnectedness of the four dimensions. Subsequently, the data is normalized, and the sub-indices are weighted equally to derive the aggregate CSMI index. This comprehensive approach acknowledges the complex interplay between cultural, economic, governance, and environmental factors, and their collective influence on the overall sustainability of societies. This study introduces two key contributions: (1) the development of a new framework for measuring cultural sustainability, and (2) the first empirical comparison of cultural sustainability across the East Asian countries of South Korea, China, and Japan. The study applies the CSMI to South Korea, China, and Japan, providing a comparative analysis of cultural sustainability performance across these East Asian countries. Through graphical representations, the research highlights the relative strengths and weaknesses of each nation, facilitating benchmarking and the identification of best practices. This visual analysis enables policymakers, cultural organizations, and stakeholders to assess the current state of cultural sustainability, identify areas for improvement, and develop targeted strategies to promote the preservation and continuation of cultural heritage, diversity, and expressions. By integrating the four dimensions and offering a quantitative measure of cultural sustainability, this study provides further insights into the growing body of literature on this topic. It provides valuable insights and recommendations for policymakers, cultural organizations, and stakeholders to develop holistic and integrated approaches that foster sustainable economic growth, effective governance, and environmental stewardship while preserving and nurturing cultural heritage and expressions.