Understanding the role of creative networks for cultural and creative industries: the case of creative Cardiff

Lupu, Ruxandra, Komorowski, Marlen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1944-9855, Pepper, Sara and Lewis, Justin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5300-9127 2023. Understanding the role of creative networks for cultural and creative industries: the case of creative Cardiff. Virani, Tarek E., ed. Global Creative Ecosystems, Vol. 1. Dynamics of Virtual Work, London: Springer, pp. 77-96. (10.1007/978-3-031-33961-5_5)

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Abstract

Although the impact of the cultural and creative industries (CCI) in terms of driving innovation and wealth creation has been widely acknowledged, the way they self-organise to create value is still underexplored. There has been growing interest in understanding CCI ‘ecosystems’, ‘spillovers’ and ‘networks’, which has put a renewed focus on different modes of functioning, relationships and patterns in the sector. In this chapter, we focus on creative networks as organisations which are unique to the CCI. We define creative networks as organised networks (sometimes having their own legal entity, sometimes as part of another organisation) that have dedicated people working to support the creative network to create collaboration and/or growth in the local/regional CCI. Such networks are place-based initiatives with the ability to bring people together in real time. Creative networks are not new to cities and regions in the UK, but a range of new initiatives established recently have rekindled the interest in and need for such networks. We argue that for the CCIs—characterised by a heterogeneous community, often dominated by freelancers and micro businesses, driven by project-based work, facing increased international competition and highly vulnerable to economic changes such as COVID-19—such networks create benefits for workers and organisations and are vitally important in sustaining and developing their local ecosystems. This chapter focuses on Creative Cardiff as a case study. Creative Cardiff is a creative network which connects people working in any creative organisation, business or job in the Cardiff region. We employed a value network analysis approach as a core methodological framework to explore how Creative Cardiff generates value. This approach enables us to focus on the connections and interdependencies emerging within Creative Cardiff. Based on the model developed by Komorowski et al. to map the activity of 22 creative networks across the UK, which is inspired by the quadruple helix model, we first identify the types of actors involved in Creative Cardiff. We then set up a mixed methodology that combines desk research with interviews conducted with network members, to map the types of relations established between network actors that determine the value flows. By analysing the complex ecosystem of connections fostered by Creative Cardiff and mapping the value generated through these links, we aim to better assess the value created by networks.

Item Type:	Book Section
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Journalism, Media and Culture
Publisher:	Springer
ISBN:	978-3-031-33960-8
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	1 March 2024
Last Modified:	09 Apr 2024 13:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/166756

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