Behavioral Insights into Cultural Entrepreneurship: The Importance of Identity and Passion
By Bronwyn Coate, RMIT University, Australia, bronwyn.coate@rmit.edu.au
Abstract
In contrast to more traditional approaches used to study entrepreneurship, this work applies a behavioral approach to understand the motivations and actions of artists and creative practitioners who navigate art worlds and markets. Our examination of cultural entrepreneurship focuses upon how psychological phenomena including role identity, motivation, contextual factors and passion serve to drive cultural enterprising actions. Unlike traditional approaches to entrepreneurship which often focuses on profit and treat the presence of entrepreneurship within the economy as exogenous determined, a behavioral approach delves into intrinsic and extrinsic rewards as key motivators for entrepreneurial intentions and action. Applying behavioral approaches to cultural entrepreneurship brings not only more realistic assumptions to models used to predict and understand behavior, but also provides vital insights that can inform policy-making and initiatives designed to foster and promote the cultural and creative industries that reposition the artist to be in greater proximity to the market.
Cultural Entrepreneurship
This volume explores the concept of Cultural Entrepreneurship, illustrating how creativity, culture, and business come together in innovative ways. Starting with a working definition -- “entrepreneurship in or of culture, including entrepreneurship in the cultural industries and entrepreneurship in the cultural arena of artistic and cultural values” – the volume examines key themes in current research. These include balancing artistic creativity with economic viability, navigating individual agency versus structural constraints in creative careers, and adapting to new business models from traditional arts organizations to emerging digital platforms. Highlighting an interdisciplinary perspective, the volume considers the economic, sociological, and cultural forces shaping entrepreneurial activities in creative realms. It provides both theoretical frameworks and practical insights, presenting cultural entrepreneurship as a dynamic field that combines artistic innovation with economic strategies.
Companion
Foundations and Trends® in Entrepreneurship, Volume 21, Issue 4-5 Special Issue: Cultural Entrepreneurship
See the other articles that are also part of this special issue.