Kano-Model-Based Evaluation Framework for the Digital Innovative Art Design of Taiyuan Paper-Cutting Heritage for Sustainable Cultural Tourism

Against the backdrop of sustainable cultural tourism and the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), Taiyuan paper-cutting, as a national-level ICH of China, possesses unique regional art value. Digitalisation offers significant opportunities to enhance the safeguarding and innovation of ICH. While existing studies have primarily focused on digital documentation and archiving, dissemination and promotion, transmission and education, and conservation and restoration, the evaluation of innovative art design content within the digitalisation of ICH remains underexplored. This study aims to develop an evaluation framework for the digital innovative art design of ICH to support sustainable cultural tourism development, using Taiyuan paper-cutting as a case study. A quantitative research approach based on the Kano model was adopted, drawing on established scales from previous studies. Using convenience sampling, a total of 386 questionnaires were successfully collected. The findings propose a structured evaluation framework for the digital innovative art design of Taiyuan paper-cutting, comprising nine digitalisation-related art design attributes. Based on Kano model analysis, these attributes are categorised into Must-Have Quality, One-Dimensional Quality and Attractive Quality elements. The proposed framework contributes to the sustainable development of both ICH and cultural tourism by clarifying the functional roles and priorities of digitalisation elements in innovative art design. Consequently, this research provides an actionable framework for researchers and stakeholders to systematically integrate digital innovation with cultural heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of local culture and products, thereby advancing the realisation of SDG 11.4 and SDG 8.9.