Open research questions in Cultural Industries and Urban Development

What the literature leaves open

• The paper identifies the challenge of regulating global streaming platforms across multiple regions. It highlights the tension between the US administration's push for deregulation abroad and the need for countries to strengthen obligations on streaming services.

  From the Washington Consensus to “America First”: Shifts in global audiovisual governance under the Trump Trade Agenda · 2026 · DOI

• The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the impact of the Trump administration's 'America First' agenda on the audiovisual sector. It highlights the need to examine the historical context of trade liberalization and cultural exception in the audiovisual sector.

  From the Washington Consensus to “America First”: Shifts in global audiovisual governance under the Trump Trade Agenda · 2026 · DOI

• The Ban Chiang Archaeological Site struggles to attract high-networth visitors, with most tourists being domestic or school groups. Tourism benefits are concentrated near the national museum, leaving distant local businesses facing economic challenges, especially in the low season. The income disparity and lack of major attractions in Udon Thani province limit international appeal and slow community economic growth.

  Community Capitals Framework for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study of Creative Tourism in Ban Chiang World Heritage Site · 2025 · DOI

• Empirical evidence of creative tourism's specific contributions to sustainability is scarce. There is a lack of understanding of how creative tourism strategies can support community-based tourism by optimizing development through cultural preservation, heritage revitalization, and sustainable outcomes.

  Community Capitals Framework for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study of Creative Tourism in Ban Chiang World Heritage Site · 2025 · DOI

• Ensuring fair distribution of Urban Cultural Facilities (UCFs) is crucial for achieving urban equity, but research from a regional perspective is relatively scarce.

  Understanding the regional dynamics and determinants of urban cultural facilities in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China · 2025 · DOI

• Trade-related carbon emissions have emerged as a significant environmental challenge, yet strategies to mitigate their impact remain underexplored.

  Digital empowerment and trade-embodied carbon intensity: insights from value-added decomposition in services · 2025 · DOI

• Little is known on how physical collocation in residences affects artistic sociality.

  Professional patios, emotional studios: Locating social ties in European art residences · 2024 · DOI

• The main limitations of this study are related, on the one hand, to the subjectivity of qualitative studies, due to the fact that the results can be interpreted in several ways.

  The Creative Industries’ Role in Low-Density Territories’ Sustainability: The Douro Region · 2024 · DOI

• include the consideration of regional equity in the allocation of subsidies utilizing a principle which closely approximates a per capita approach in devolving grant decisions to the local thus opening up opportunities to relatively obscure arts organizations currently overshadowed by the large, and especially the Sydney-based, side. These level - supply center on Downloaded by [McMaster University] at 01:34 28 December 2014 The Arts in Australia 151 organizations. The plan assumes that there is an existing arts base in most localities so that a per capita formula could be applied. The reality, however, may well be a very uneven distribution of arts activities viewed from the producer side. The report cites the views of some that "new entrepreneurs" - e.g. trade unions, schools (p.87) could serve to fill the vacuum where it exists. Will such entrepreneurs act merely as sponsors of art events desired by their constituencies, but provided by arts organizations from outside the locality, or will they act as sponsors of new producing units? What allowance will tie made for amateur and semi-professional organizations which may engage the participation of large audience response? These questions are not clearly answered in the Report. The relevance of electronic media as a means of promoting access is mentioned with approval, but the further potential of this instrument is not probed. sizable numbers and elicit The conspicuous weakness of the Report with respect to the issue of 'dissemination' is its failure to examine the state of demand and the obstacles to its increase in all art forms. For example, there is no discussion of price as a barrier to arts participation. The potential obstacles to access, as seen from the demand side, that need further study include such variables as demographic and residential patterns, competition from acceptable substitutes, and others. The nature of these obstacles as determinants of demand in any community is an empirical question. In the absence of secure knowledge about such obstacles, access which is cultivated from the production side alone faces the real possibiltiy that local arts activity in a number of area s will not elicit the desired consumer response. It would be dangerous to assume that sufficient latent demand exists for any specified art form without verifying that it does. If it does not, access promoted from the supply side may prove disappointing and wasteful. No discussion of strategies aimed at audience building for any of the arts is offered. THE ARTS COUNCIL: REDEFINING ITS ROLE AND POWERS Recent arts policy has been rooted in two principles. One is that an 'arms length' relationship with government is essential to protect the independence of the arts community from political pressure . A second is that allocation of funds among applicants within given art forms is best decided through a peer review process. Given the Committee desire to adopt a broader definition of the arts to provide for a heterogeneous population with diverse tastes, preferences and previous cultural exposure, the Committee found it necessary to suggest how "objectives" and "structures" of an earlier era in arts assistance should be changed. The Committee Report is severely critical of the Arts Council because it has "failed to adapt to Downloaded by [McMaster University] at 01:34 28 December 2014 /52 Sonia S. Gold important changes in the arts and society and has become a captive of its clients" (p.5). Further, it has "labored ... at many tasks which are not properly its responsibilities. Other tasks which ought to be primary responsibilities .. . have suffered" (p.112) . The indictment is quite severe and is not mitigated by the passing reference to "impressive achievements" (p.lll). Other flaws in Arts Council performance which are cited include : its emphasis on the high arts, which in the Committee's view "represents a small corner of the cultural field" (p.55); unduly favoring "the culture of Sydney over that of the rest of Australia"; and "urban culture over rural" (p.56). The Committee concluded that a single arts council could not, or should not, "set policy for the diverse and ill-defined field called the arts" (p.56) and therefore, that "an arts council on the traditional model" is not "a proper body to be granted significant autonomy in arts support policy" .(p.57). The Committee, therefore recommended "a new approach" which allows for the continued existence of the Council, but with substantial change in its structure and functions . While the proposals are intended to "reduce the level of damaging controversy surrounding the council" (p.61), they are very likely to contribute to continuing controversy instead. It is unlikely, given the state of dissensus, that any set of proposals would satisfy all parties at this stage.

  POLICY AND ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGE IN THE ARTS IN AUSTRALIA · 1987 · DOI

• The sector faces challenges such as lack of sustainability and short-lived ventures. There is a need for innovative funding models and sustainable long-term strategies. The study highlights the importance of building networks and collaborations to drive innovation in the industry.

  A Prognosis of South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries: A Perspective Analysis from within the Creative Economy · 2026 · DOI

• The study is limited to a qualitative mixed-methods approach. The sample size is limited to 32 participants. The study does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the sector's economic impact.

  A Prognosis of South Africa's Cultural and Creative Industries: A Perspective Analysis from within the Creative Economy · 2026 · DOI

• The paper identifies a need to develop a strong foundation for the recognition of cultural aspects. The study highlights the importance of addressing challenges and opportunities in cultural management.

  The power of partnerships in cultural management: Case study Greece · 2026 · DOI

• Broader longitudinal and comparative research is needed. Further studies should examine the impact of CCI on unemployment and other socio-economic outcomes.

  The Relationship Between the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries and Socio-Economic Development: A Study in Vietnam · 2026 · DOI

• There is a gap in empirical evidence from emerging economies on the socio-economic impacts of CCI. The contribution of CCI to socio-economic development in Vietnam is not well understood.

  The Relationship Between the Development of the Cultural and Creative Industries and Socio-Economic Development: A Study in Vietnam · 2026 · DOI

• The study does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the economic viability of fan art products. The sample size is limited to 400 respondents. The study focuses on fan art in China and may not be generalizable to other cultural contexts.

  Strategy Management: The Innovation, Development, and Integration of Chinese Traditional Cultural Elements and Fan Arts of Zhejiang Province · 2026 · DOI

• There is a significant research gap in studies that integrate technical sustainability, market sustainability, talent sustainability, and policy sustainability into a unified strategic management framework. Existing literature on cultural heritage management has not adequately addressed the challenges of fan art preservation and innovation.

  Strategy Management: The Innovation, Development, and Integration of Chinese Traditional Cultural Elements and Fan Arts of Zhejiang Province · 2026 · DOI

• Existing studies lack systematic analyses of the impact mechanism, regional differences and empirical evidence concerning the effect of online retail on cultural consumption. The quantitative correlation and transmission pathways between online retail and cultural consumption remain to be further clarified.

  Analysis of the Factors Influencing Residents' Cultural Consumption Expenditure——From the Perspective of Online Retail Use · 2026 · DOI

• The paper identifies a gap in the understanding of the impact of fundraising and marketing on economic performances. The study aims to fill this gap by examining the role of memory and innovation in the repertoire of USA symphony orchestras and opera houses.

  Memory, Marketing and Economic Performances in USA Symphony Orchestras and Opera Houses · 2026 · DOI

• When resources are scarce at crisis times and when competition is intense with other creative supplies, USA symphony orchestras and opera houses memorize and perform their repertoires (or repertories), so that seasons are crucially bundled between tradition and innovation.

  Memory, Marketing and Economic Performances in USA Symphony Orchestras and Opera Houses · 2026 · DOI

• The digital cultural industry is restricted by capital, talents, and inadequate industrial integration. The industry lacks high-end talents engaged in digital creativity, new media operation, and cultural management.

  Digital Empowerment for High-Quality Cultural Development in Zibo City · 2026 · DOI

• Future research could explore the potential for a more coordinated state programme to strengthen Nollywood's diplomacy. Future research could investigate the implications of Nollywood's diplomacy for other African countries and the global film industry.

  Nollywood as the Centre of African Cinema and the Reach of its Film Diplomacy: A Comparative Reading Against Hollywood, Bollywood, and the Korean Wave · 2026 · DOI

• The study identifies a gap in the literature on Nollywood's diplomatic potential and its implications for Nigeria's public diplomacy. The study notes that previous research has focused on Nollywood's cultural significance, but has not fully explored its diplomatic potential.

  Nollywood as the Centre of African Cinema and the Reach of its Film Diplomacy: A Comparative Reading Against Hollywood, Bollywood, and the Korean Wave · 2026 · DOI

• The complexity of the interplay between cultural elements, dissemination mechanisms, and international audience reception. The need to balance the promotion of cultural heritage with the demands of digital media. The challenge of measuring the effectiveness of dissemination strategies.

  The External Dissemination Pathways of Chinese Jade Culture from the Perspective of Intangible Cultural Heritage · 2026 · DOI

• The lack of a comprehensive framework for understanding the external dissemination pathways of Chinese jade culture. The need to examine the complex interplay between cultural elements, dissemination mechanisms, and international audience reception. The importance of identifying the most effective channels for promoting Chinese jade culture and fostering deep engagement with international audiences.

  The External Dissemination Pathways of Chinese Jade Culture from the Perspective of Intangible Cultural Heritage · 2026 · DOI

• The need to understand how creators negotiate creative freedom within the AI-mediated ecosystem of Chinese web series production.

  Negotiating Expression: Cultural Fields and AI-Mediated Production in Chinese Web Series · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Cultural Industries and Urban Development

• Culture and Organizations · International Studies of Management and Organization · 1980 · 1,944 citations
• Processing Fads and Fashions: An Organization-Set Analysis of Cultural Industry Systems · American Journal of Sociology · 1972 · 919 citations
• 13 "DOES CULTURAL CAPITAL STRUCTURE AMERICAN CONSUMPTION?" (1998) · Journal of Consumer Research · 1998 · 877 citations
• The social life of cultural value · Language & Communication · 2003 · 850 citations
• National Cultural Distance and Cross-Border Acquisition Performance · Journal of International Business Studies · 1998 · 817 citations
• Creative Cities: Conceptual Issues and Policy Questions · Journal of Urban Affairs · 2006 · 720 citations
• Utopian Enterprise: Articulating the Meanings ofStar Trek's Culture of Consumption : Figure 1 · Journal of Consumer Research · 2001 · 715 citations
• The field of cultural production, or: The economic world reversed · Poetics · 1983 · 712 citations
• Creativity and Culture · The Journal of Psychology · 1953 · 668 citations
• Creativity and tourism · Annals of Tourism Research · 2011 · 648 citations

Most recent work

• Digitally Facilitated Gentrification in Shanghai's Historic Urban Landscapes: The (Re)distribution of Aesthetic Sensibilities Through Social Media Platforms · Antipode · 2026
• "AI is Taking Over the World… so I may as Well Just go Along with it:” Fractured Perceptions among Creative Workers · Work and Occupations · 2026
• Do ethnographers make markets? Cultural economy after collaboration · Journal of Cultural Economy · 2026
• The art gallery as a place to foster a sense of social identity · Technical Transactions · 2026
• EU film festivals – balancing and harnessing the ambiguity of competitiveness and public diplomacy · International Journal of Cultural Policy · 2026
• Path dependency and creative convergence: A comparative study of cultural and creative cities in Europe · Cities · 2026
• From culture to capacity: Exploring neo-endogenous dynamics in culture-based development in the Japanese municipality of Higashikawa, the “Town of Photography” · Journal of Rural Studies · 2026
• Marginal willingness to pay for Urban service diversity in 15-Minute community life circle: A case study of Xiamen · Applied Geography · 2026
• The consumption-production nexus in home-located work: a class-based approach to understand the residential differentiation of artists and designers in Melbourne, Australia · Geoforum · 2026
• From the Washington Consensus to “America First”: Shifts in global audiovisual governance under the Trump Trade Agenda · Media Culture & Society · 2026

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