Joining the Dots—Understanding the Value Generation of Creative Networks for Sustainability in Local Creative Ecosystems

Abstract

In recent years, the ecological shift from an economically driven model of arts and culture to that of an ecosystem in the creative industries determined the emergence of a range of new bottom-up, place-based networks herewith referred to as “creative networks”. This article explores how these networks can generate sustainability for local creative ecosystems through a value network approach. Building on the quadruple helix model to identify the actors in these networks, this study explores the relationships and value flows between the actors of 22 identified creative networks across the UK. It then maps these relationships using data gathered through a mixed methodology that includes survey data and focus group research. Our findings show that creative networks operate as central nodes of the local creative ecosystem, functioning as a ‘glue’ inside the otherwise very heterogenous creative industries. From this position, creative networks can act as catalysts for sustainability. However, the economic, cultural, and social value created by creative networks is often overshadowed by other challenges including a lack of funding and a lack of understanding from policy makers or the public.

Regional Creative Capacity and Creative Tourism Development. The Case of Cultural Associations in Peripheral Areas

“…The term "network" is used in many contexts and has a variety of meanings, including relationships between individuals, or groups in a community or region, and between communities and regions, club activities, company cooperations and contacts, governance mechanisms, or institutional modes of exchange [69]. A network can be defined as a set of established social relations, of varying degrees, between interdependent actors, where individual units do not exist in isolation, but are instead constantly defined in relation to other units.…”

“…That is, the network is a set of nodes, e.g., individuals, groups, organizations, and concepts that are connected by strategic links and ties. The main characteristics of a network are its informal, collaborative, spontaneous, and multi-level character, voluntary participation, lack of physical boundaries, and the existence of both formal institutional interconnections and informal relationships [69,70].…”

“…In the tourism sector, the tight interconnection between attractions, services, transportation, information, and promotion emphasizes the necessity for networking and collaboration [80]. Especially for peripheral areas, networking is considered a key development tool, where links and interactions are formed with the main purpose of exchanging knowledge and practices, with an emphasis on tacit knowledge [22,69].…”

Creative Hubs and Intercultural Dialogue—Towards a New Socio-Economic Narrative

“…Creative hubs are predominantly businesses with their own performance indicators and financial goals, and therefore reporting on such measures is common. Third, because societal and cultural benefits are less tangible (Komorowski, Lupu, Pepper and Lewis, 2021 [10]), they are often seen as more elusive, escaping analytical attention, and are therefore often overlooked.…”

Place-based sustainability—act or wait-and-see?

“…Researchers emphasize the role of the local creative industries, accentuating that CCIs can foster place-based sustainability, if there is an organization offering a range of support and enabling services to the local creative industries (Komorowski et al, 2021), due to observation that the CCIs have become a key asset at the top of any kind of value chain (Sacco et al, 2018;Lazzaro, 2020). In addition, CCIs can be seen as an important driver of citizens' quality of life from many perspectives, such as local governance, social inclusion, community involvement, capability building and networking, hence significantly contributing to local development (Sacco et al, 2013;European Parliament., 2018).…”