Abstract
The value of the creative industries to the economy and society has generally been viewed in terms of
jobs created and contribution to gross national or regional product. This study shows that it’s time to
reassess the industry’s image and its social and economic significance. It looks beyond job creation
and contribution to
... read more
GDP of the creative industries, to possible broader social and economic added
value. In particular it examines the specific positive external impact of the creative industries on our
society and economy and the sector’s contribution to innovation. The creative industries, it seems, is
not merely another sector but is also a driving force behind various economic and social processes.
The sector is characterized not only by a relatively high growth rate but also by extensive crosslinking
with other sectors and branch industries. This crosslinking not only occurs through customer and
supplier relations, but also through staff migration from one branch to another, resulting in knowledge
transfer beyond specific branch boundaries. It is precisely the knowledge and specific skills of these
creatively active professionals fanning out from creative industries companies which is of particular
interest here. As our economy continues to emerge as a creative economy this knowledge and these
skills are of crucial importance. The broader added value of the creative industries manifests itself in
the contribution by creatively actively professionals to innovation and competitiveness in the broader
economy. This development is clearly identified in the study and should be further investigated. The
research focus should move away from a static view of creative industries as a sector which creates
jobs and wealth and focuses more on the dynamic which the core competencies and skills emerging
from the sector can bring about in society and the broader economy. This should be taken into
consideration in policy-making. The creative industries have long been of interest to policy makers, scientists and politicians but now
entrepreneurs and sector organizations are also showing more interest. The creative industries deal
with the creation, production and exploitation of all kinds of significance and symbolism aimed at not
only consumers and citizens but also commercial customers. Three subsectors are identified in the
Netherlands, each with its own dynamic; media and entertainment, the arts and cultural heritage and
creative business services.
In the past decade, most studies into the creative industries focused on definition and delineation of
the sector and the mapping of associated economic value and job creation. These mapping studies
have generally identified the creative industries as a distinct sector with above average growth. At the
same time there is a growing recognition of the special role the creative industries play in the modern
economy, and that the sector also, and above all, provides a dynamic beyond its own ranks. These
issues are further addressed in this study. Creative Amsterdam, a consortium of the cities Amsterdam,
Utrecht, Zaanstad, Haarlem, Alkmaar, Hilversum and Amersfoort in conjunction with the Amsterdam
Chamber of Commerce, the Amsterdam Innovation Motor (AIM) and the Regional Innovation
Taskforce Utrecht (TFI) will, through this study, trace the broad economic and social significance of the
creative industries and thence formulate broader policy options.
show less