This new book analyses the strategies, usages and wider implications of crowdsourcing and crowdfunding platforms in the culture and communication industries that are reshaping economic, organizational and social logics. Platforms are the object of considerable hype with a growing global presence. Relying on individual contributions coordinated by social media to finance cultural production (and carry out promotional tasks) is a significant shift, especially when supported by morphing public policies, supposedly enhancing cultural diversity and accessibility. The aim of this book is to propose a critical analysis of these phenomena by questioning what follows from decisions to outsource modes of creation and funding to consumers. Drawing on research carried out within the ‘Collab’ programme backed by the French National Research Agency, the book considers how platforms are used to organize cultural labour and/or to control usages, following a logic of suggestion rather than overt injunction. Four key areas are considered: the history of crowdfunding as a system; whose interests crowdfunding may serve; the implications for digital labour and lastly crowdfunding’s interface with globalization and contemporary capitalism. The book concludes with an assessment of claims that crowdfunding can democratize culture.

This book aims to take stock and systemize existing knowledge on crowdfunding while providing overview of the industry, its regulatory environment and advancing the insight into the role of crowdfunding in the startup lifecycle. It is adopting an exploratory and phenomenon-based approach which is deemed appropriate when investigating rather new phenomena. Furthermore, the research combines survey and interview methodologies to assess the opinion and real-world behavior of different stakeholders in crowdfunding marketplace and identify gaps requiring further academic consideration. Empirical data was gathered using multiple interactive web-based questionnaires distributed to different stakeholders and “informed general public” mainly through the social networks (Linkedin, Facebook and Twitter) and direct solicitation of entrepreneurial associations, networks and online communities. The study conducted relies on both qualitative and quantitative analysis in attempt to find data patterns useful in future research and establish some managerial and policymaker recommendations based on limited evidence collected. The work adds value to this field through a 3-fold contribution: Taking a look at crowdfunding through the prism of SWOT analysis of the practice itself and Porter’s 5 forces analysis of crowdfunding platforms industry. Providing evidence in favor of implementing various degrees of regulation based on different crowdfunding categories, using the Italian case of equity-based crowdfunding regulation as a model. Finally, it yields some interesting findings on relevance of crowdfunding in the venture startup while pointing out key motivators which make entrepreneurs consider this fundraising option. In addition, related policymaker/managerial implications are exposed and academic literature updated with reference to contemporary developments in this dynamic field.

The need for effective fundraising in the arts has never been more acute. Specialist yet accessible, Fundraising in the Creative and Cultural Industries is designed to provide strategic and practical support to individuals needing to lead or develop fundraising in their organisations. Part One explores theories of leadership and change, as well as managing fundraising in a crisis, most notably the impact of COVID-19 on cultural organisations globally. It introduces readers to specific academic frameworks and concepts from arts management, business and entrepreneurship studies – which readers can use to analyse their own situations – and provides insight via real-world case studies. Part Two explores the practical application of fundraising. Readers can begin their journey to becoming a fundraising expert, starting from the basics of fundraising to a broad understanding of the different means and channels through which income can be raised for arts and cultural organisations. This book is a practical and accessible guide to exploring current fundraising thinking, enabling the reader to develop their own fundraising expertise and to embed knowledge and practice into their own organisations. The fundraising experience from industry pioneers sets this book apart and will inspire readers to achieve their own ambitious goals.

The connections between culture and sustainability have been in the public agenda since the 20th century. However, whilst global sustainability programmes at international institutional levels are yet to recognise the role of culture in their sustainability policies, the bid (albeit failed) in the early 2000s to formally add “culture” to the trilogy of sustainability pillars (economic, social, and environmental) mobilised a new discourse for the reframing of cultural policy narrative, which in turn urged a reassessment of methods of cultural management reflecting the same concerns among the sector’s grassroots. The idea of sustainability and culture working together and their envisioned role in future-proofing society and human development captured the imagination of cultural commentators, policy makers and practitioners alike, keen to fulfil these principles “out there”—in cultural organizations and events mega and small, in cities and regions, local and global. The papers in this Special Issue reflect this appeal. This publication covers a wide selection of issues related to sustainable cultural management, which means that it can be recommended to a varied audience. First of all, it can be recommended to managers experienced in cultural management, where success is measured more by the degree of mission accomplishment and the social benefits achieved rather than by profit. Another group comprises the employees of cultural organizations who want to improve their knowledge of sustainable cultural management. This Special Issue can also be recommended to artists, researchers, students, state and local government employees, founders and patrons of art, and all those who want to understand the importance of sustainable cultural management.

This open access book presents a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of knowledge on the state of crowdfunding research and practice. It considers crowdfunding models and their different manifestations across a variety of geographies and sectors, and explores the perspectives of fundraisers, backers, platforms, and regulators. Gathering insights from a wide range of influential researchers in the field, the book balances concepts, theory, and case studies. Going beyond previous research on crowdfunding, the contributors also investigate issues of community, sustainability, education, and ethics. A vital resource for anyone researching crowdfunding, this book offers readers a deep understanding of the characteristics, business models, user-relations, and behavioural patterns of crowdfunding.

This book explores the relevance of new sources, dimensions, and characteristics of knowledge for supporting creative and cultural organizations and initiatives. Special emphasis is placed on cultural heritage, participatory approaches, and entrepreneurship in the cultural and creative sector. The role of cultural heritage and contemporary culture as a source of economically effective, socially sustainable development is also discussed. The authors examine new ways of developing and testing new and innovative models of management for cultural heritage assets. In line with the participatory approaches in culture heritage governance promoted by the EU, the authors analyze participatory approaches to cultural and creative initiatives. The role of public and private actors, as well as the way they interact with each other in order to achieve collective outcomes, is of particular interest in this section of the book. With regard to cultural and creative entrepreneurship, the book adds an innovative view of cultural ventures, offering some clues from an entrepreneurial ecosystem perspective.

This research-based book investigates the effects of digital transformation on the cultural and creative sectors. Through cases and examples, the book examines how artists and art institutions are facing the challenges posed by digital transformation, highlighting both positive and negative effects of the phenomenon. With contributions from an international range of scholars, the book examines how digital transformation is changing the way the arts are produced and consumed. As relative late adopters of digital technologies, the arts organizations are shown to be struggling to adapt, as issues of authenticity, legitimacy, control, trust, and co-creation arise. Leveraging a variety of research approaches, the book identifies managerial implications to render a collection that is valuable reading for scholars involved with arts and culture management, the creative industries and digital transformation more broadly.

Social media and crowdsourcing are important tools for solving complex problems. The benefit of crowdsourcing is that it leverages the power of human intelligence cost effectively and with less time. Social Media and Crowdsourcing: Application and Analytics examines the concepts of social media and crowdsourcing as well as their analytical aspects. It explores how these technologies contribute to the real world and examines such applications as promoting social good, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, disaster management, education, crime control, and cultural heritage. The book also looks at ethical issues in crowdsourcing and future scenarios and challenges for policy. Highlights of the book include the following: A crowdsourcing application in agriculture Crowdsourcing outline for a contemporary aided medicinal backup system Crowdsourcing-based recommendation in the tourism industry Crowdsourcing mechanisms for reviving cultural heritage Expanding the overarching concept of utilizing social media and crowdsourcing to solve various real-life problems, this book discusses how to bring together the wisdom of crowds for various decision-making problems in agriculture, disaster management, and healthcare. It addresses the various ethical issues arising out of various crowdsourcing-based applications. It puts forward diverse methodologies to involve crowdsourcing in education to implement new strategies to enhance learning outcomes. This book also addresses various problem-solving techniques for recommender applications in the travel and tourism industry. Providing a systematic discussion of the many sectors using crowdsourcing as an essential part of social innovation, this book is a theoretical and methodological look at the application of social media.

Crowdfunding is a hot topic and this Handbook provides a service to the research community by codifying, discussing and examining research in this area. It will be a starting point for researchers seeking high quality research in this new and important area.

This book questions the ability of crowdfunding (especially in the lending and equity-based models) to contribute to the development of European businesses, and therefore, to the relaunch of the European economy. Following a mainly micro (firm-based) approach, the study investigates the advantages of crowd investors’ increased role both in making financial resources available to the industrial base, thus reinvigorating economic growth across the European Union. The book reframes contemporary issues surrounding corporate finance and develops relevant knowledge to help companies succeed when it comes to securing the means to grow. It provides new and interesting insights into the alternative finance market, in light of the global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. The book describes the main alternative finance models which include not only lending and equity-based crowdfunding, but also marketplace lending, balance sheet lending, invoice trading, securities, real estate crowdfunding, and profit-sharing. It also analyses the due diligence process and other value-added services provided by platforms and backers. The book outlines a systematic understanding of crowdfunding as a substitute or complement to other forms of entrepreneurial finance and unpacks some of the misunderstandings surrounding the crowdfunding industry and its future evolution. The conclusions reached can be of help to entrepreneurs who have limited knowledge of the crowdfunding tool and the associated benefits. As such, this book is a valuable resource for students, researchers, professionals, and practitioners interested in discovering or better understanding the crowdfunding process, its characteristics, and the range of players in this market.