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

Marlen Komorowski, Ruxandra Lupu, Sara Pepper and Justin Lewis
Additional contact information
Marlen Komorowski: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK
Ruxandra Lupu: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK
Sara Pepper: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK
Justin Lewis: College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 1FS, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 22, 1-16

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.

Keywords: creative networks; value networks; creative industries; quadruple helix; creative ecosystems; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/22/12352/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/22/12352/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12352-:d:675207

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().