Report 2: Definitions of CCI

This report concentrates on how the broad field of creative industries, creative economy, and cultural and creative industries (CCIs) have been defined over time. There are many definitions of CCIs and there has always been some contestation over what counts in the CCIs, and why. Academic scholarship thrives on debate and contest, but government researchers, policy makers and politicians must make decisions about what counts, in what categories, and they must be based on defensible reasons, while also conforming where necessary to international standards and practices. This report, and Report 1, is mindful of the need for both academic freedom and strategic prioritisation of scarce resources to achieve research impact in Iceland’s new multi-university creative industries research centre. It is equally mindful of the needs of government and the citizenry to grasp opportunities to modernise understanding and practical application of this dynamic, growing and important sector of the Iceland’s economy and its society. Our emphasis throughout both Reports is the need to adopt a rigorous, contemporary understanding of the CCIs based on the best statistical, industrial and academic foundations while at the same time stressing modularity and flexibility that allows for best practice stakeholder management.