nep-cul New Economics Papers
on Cultural Economics
Issue of 2026–01–19
two papers chosen by
Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale


  1. Mapping creative capabilities: skill composition and regional specialisation in the cultural and creative industries By Buyukyazici, Duygu; Coll-Martínez, Eva
  2. Who Should Own the Past? By Maija Halonen-Akatwijuka; Evagelos Pafilis

  1. By: Buyukyazici, Duygu; Coll-Martínez, Eva
    Abstract: This study provides the first conceptual and empirical framework to evaluate the cultural and creative industries’ (CCIs) skill composition by utilising the revealed skill requirements method. First, it identifies the most important skills within and across the CCIs. Second, it maps their spatial distribution and links them to the stage-sensitive regional specialisation of the CCIs. Finally, it formalises a framework to assess the specialisation potential patterns. Moving beyond a generic treatment of the CCIs, this study develops a comprehensive, bottom-up approach to regional CCIs policy, focusing on place-specific capabilities and untapped potential of regions by comparing their skill endowments with observed CCIs’ specialisation patterns.
    Keywords: complexity; creativity; cultural and creative industries; human capital; regional specialisation; skill relatedness
    JEL: B52 J24 R11
    Date: 2026–01–31
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ehl:lserod:130094
  2. By: Maija Halonen-Akatwijuka; Evagelos Pafilis
    Abstract: We examine restitution of cultural goods and its optimal form, i.e. whether restitution should be definite or take the form of a loan. We show that loan can be optimal when the source country is indispensable due to its cultural significance, while full restitution is optimal when the host country completes restoration. Relative valuations can drive restitution, but do not pin down its form. Finally, restitution is not always optimal despite source country’s higher valuation for the cultural good. We apply our analysis to the restitution of Icelandic manuscripts and the proposed loan or restitution of Benin bronzes.
    Date: 2025–04–02
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bri:uobdis:25/819

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