Empirical, methodological and theoretical reflections Empirical, methodological and theoretical Industries Local Development and Creative Gotland University Press 9 The world is becoming increasingly more globalised. That is a big and subtle force often demanding national and local harmonisation. Traditional industrial sectors moves from the western hemisphere to other parts of the world. The need for future oriented, explorative Editors and innovative ideas and studies is immanent. In Sweden and other modern societies there is often a strong belief in reform, that it is Conny Pettersson & Dorit Christensen possible to change societal structures, processes and ideologies from above by introducing new ideas and financing R & D. This book presents a wide range of approaches to the study of local development and creative industries. Seven authors’ presents a Local Development volume organised in three parts. Part I offers empirical studies on a growing experience economy, and also heritage, design and Factor and 10 as a resource for development. Part II offers a methodological study on narrative as a force for company development. This part also Creative Industries offers reflections on interactive knowledge and however development is a prerequisite for innovation. Part III covers current conceptual and 9 Gotland University Press theoretical reflections on localisation, regionalisation and globalisation, neo-institutionalism and symbolic aspects of policy. Empirical, methodological Innovation, Triple Helix and the creative industries are often presented and as a panacea for local development from above. Rarely has it been shown to be a wave of success. Simple answers to complex problems theoretical reflections often houses logical error, which means that everyday development projects often results in errors. This volume aims to illustrate an empirical, methodological and theoretical agenda for local development from the bottom and partially implement a new and interactive role of researchers. Gotland University Press 9 Gotland University Cramérgatan 3 Phone: +46(0)498-299900 E-mail: [email protected] Adress: S-621 67 Visby Fax: +46(0)498-29 99 62 Web: www.hgo.se Local Development and Creative Industries Empirical, methodological and theoretical reflections Gotland University Press 9 Editors Conny Pettersson and Dorit Christensen Publisher: Gotland university Press 2011 Address: Gotland University S-62156 Visby Webb: www.hgo.se Phone: +46 (0) 489-22 99 00 ISSN: 1653-7424 ISBN: 978-91-86343-05-7 Editorial Committee: Åke Sandström and Lena Wikström Cover design: Marianne Laimer and Lena Wikström Layout: Marianne Laimer and Lena Wikström Copyright: The Authors Tryck: iVisby Tryckeri 2011 Gotland university press nr 9 Preface The National Institute for Working Life built up a research filial at Gotland, following the political decision in 2005 to re-locate parts of various governmental bodies outside Stockholm as a compensation for the reductions in military units in Sweden. The department for work organisation and development processes at the institute were responsible for the development, and during 2005 the preparatory work was carried out. It was decided that the research accomplished in Gotland should be academic research of value for Gotland, as well as for the rest of the country. Accordingly it should also be of practical value for the trade and industry at Gotland. In this spirit the research theme was decided after communication and interaction with the University College at Gotland, politicians, municipality employees and entrepreneurs at Gotland. The theme has a pronounced ambition to understand the dynamics in the societal transformation, in the development of new jobs and businesses in relation to local and regional conditions. Design, experiences and cultural heritage are by many actors seen as very important for developing new jobs and businesses, both for existing businesses to become more vital, and thereby being able to employ more people, and as a possibility to start up new businesses. Even though it is important factors within the context, only a small number of scientific studies have been performed of the possible consequences of incorporation of such factors in businesses. To fill the knowledge gap, a number of case studies will be performed. The case studies are based on empirical findings from different businesses/NGO: s and pose possible answers to Gotland university press nr 9 the following questions: • How do the cases handle their daily transformation work? • Is it conscious or unconscious? • What are the hindrances and supporting structures? • How can a NGO activity develop to a business? • What characterises the interplay between public and private actors? • Is local or regional development a question about destination? • Cultural heritage as a resource in economic growth: Does that imply public support to result in private businesses? In January 2006 the researchers started their work, and in October the same year the Swedish Government decided to close down the entire institute. The research group had by then planned the research that was supposed to take place the next three years and everyone in the team we were very devoted to find a continuing opportunity to fulfil the plans. A period of hectic activity started and did not end until a solution was found. It was decided that some of the researchers from the original research group, who had decided to stay in Gotland, could continue with the planned research as employees at the University College at Gotland. This anthology was planned to be the starting-point for the research at the National Instititute for Working Life at Gotland. Instead it becomes a finalisation of the work, and a starting-point for the research that will take place at University College at Gotland. I would like to express my gratitude towards Fredrik Sjöstrand, PhD in Business Economics and Management at Gotland University, who performed the peer review and gave innovative comments about the papers. I would also like to thank Stephen Gotland university press nr 9 Fruitman, PhD of Science and Ideas at Umeå University, who carefully and stringent translated and scrutinized the text in the different papers. Carina Hellgren Associated professor Vice head of the department for work organisation and development processes Gotland university press nr 9 Contents 1 Introduction Dorit Christensen, Conny Pettersson & David Rylander Localisation and Regionalisation: Prime Movers in a Globalised World? 17 Swedish Economic Policy in Transformation 20 The Necessity of a Revitalised Work Principle 22 Creative Industries and New Impulses in Economic Policy? 24 The Research Methodology of Developmental Processes 26 Outline 28 References 31 2 The Experience Economy and Creative Industries Saeid Abbasian & Carina Hellgren Introduction 33 Defining the Experience Economy 36 The Experience Economy in Sweden and Abroad 40 The Significance of the Experience Economy 44 Self-Employment in the Experience Economy 46 Geography and the Experience Economy 47 Conclusion 50 References 51 Part I Empirical Reflections 3 Women in Creative Industries Saeid Abbasian & Carina Hellgren Introduction 59 Female Entrepreneurship in Swedish Research 62 The Experience Economy and its Significance 65 Women’s Employment in Regional Context 68 Gotland university press nr 9 Regional Settings 69 Interviews with Businesswomen 71 Easy and Difficult At the Same Time 75 Both Parallel Activity and Complement 76 Family Assistance 76 Resources 77 Experience Consumption Not Affordable for Everyone 78 Opportunities and Obstacles 79 Social Networks and Advanced Technology 81 Interviews with Practitioners 82 General Business Climate 82 Motives and Procedures 85 Opportunities and Obstacles 86 Summary 89 Appendix 93 References 95 4 Heritage as a Local and Regional Resource Torkel Molin Introduction 99 The Nature of Cultural Heritage 100 The Gold of Lapland 105 Some Observations 110 Cultural Heritage as Resource Revisited 111 Cultural Heritage Marieholm 112 Different Perspectives on Cultural Heritage 114 The Consequences of Creating Cultural Heritage 116 Regional Consequences 120 Conclusions 121 References 122 Gotland university press nr 9 5 Business, Design and Factor 10 – Sustainable Development in Creative Industries Anders Bro & Conny Pettersson Introduction 126 Background 127 Theoretical Reflections Historical Institutionalism 131 Formative Moments 132 Sustainable Development: A Formative Element? 134 New Prospects A Future Discussion 136 Housing and Public Parks 137 The Nordic House of Culinary Art – Måltidens Hus 139 The House of Design – Formens Hus 140 Sustainable Thinking Defined by the Factor 10 Concept 143 The Factor 10 Process – The Idea Takes Root 145 Skills Investment 146 Groups and Group Divisions 146 Overriding Schedules 147 Plans of Action 148 Final Reflections Reflections on the Factor 10 Concept 149 Fundamental Changes? 153 Propensity for Change? 154 Conclusions 155 References 156 Gotland university press nr 9 6 Creating Passion for Work Dorit Christensen Introduction 159 Aesthetic Play at Work 162 A Living Aesthetic Play at Work 164 The Art … 165 The Rhythm and Energy of the One Hundred Rooms 169 The artists… 172 Organizing the Art: An Aesthetic Play 172 The Four Basic Skills of the Artist 174 The Techniques… 179 The Technique Used to Select Material 179 The Technique Used to Construct ”Complete” Rooms 180 The Audience… 183 The Guests were ”Beside Themselves” 184 The Guests’ Energy is Organized by the Rooms 187 Time Spent