creative industries

We propose a new definition of the creative industries in terms of social network markets. The current definition of the creative industries is based on an industrial classification that proceeds in terms of the creative nature of inputs and the intellectual property nature of outputs. We propose, instead, a new market-based definition in terms of the extent to which both demand and supply operate in complex social networks. We review and critique the standard creative industries definitions and explain why we believe a market-based social network definition offers an analytic advance.

In this paper Jason Potts argues that the definition of cultural science depends on the definition of creative industries. The problem, however, is that unlike the definition of evolutionary economics, complexity science and new cultural studies, which are also elements of cultural science, the creative industries suffer multiple non-commensurable definitions. These are reviewed and analytic implications for the definition of cultural science are examined.

Published in Cultural Science, Vol 1, No 1 (2008)

Download paper: Designing a national innovation system to allow the creative industries to add value

Since it began in early 2006, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Creative Industries and Innovation (CCI) has rapidly developed an international reputation as a research hub humming with bright ideas about Australia’s digital future.