Challenges for cultural and creative industries: Sustainability, business model innovation and policy changes

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the challenges faced by cultural and creative industries (CCIs) in the current economic and competitive context. In particular, the study focuses on the aspects of economic sustainability and social implications for the enterprises operating in the cultural and creative sectors. The study presents an analysis of the evolution of the concepts of sustainability and business model and the development of the CCIs in the European context. The aims of the work are pursued through an action research method, based on an exploratory case study. This case is represented by an Italian social enterprise, operating in the field of cultural and creative initiatives for the promotion of history and heritage in the local tourism area. This article underlines the centrality of the issues connected with the concepts of sustainability, from a point of view covering both policy and management aspects. The case study supports the idea that the call for economic sustainability and development of sustainable business models is currently the most relevant topic for the CCIs. The conclusions try to set some recommendations about the promotion of elements of innovation to business models.