nep-cul New Economics Papers
on Cultural Economics
Issue of 2026–02–02
nine papers chosen by
Roberto Zanola, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale


  1. The invisible algorithm: The impact of search and recommender systems on the digital creative industries By Schlott, Fabian; Gänßle, Sophia
  2. Learning in Creative Tasks: Evidence from a Digital Platform By Jiatong Zhong
  3. The economics of sportscast revenue sharing By Gustavo Berganti\~nos; Juan D. Moreno-Ternero
  4. A Multi-Agent AI Framework for Musical Score Writing By Scott Josephson; Atif Farid Mohammad
  5. Distributional Treatment Effects of Content Promotion: Evidence from an ABEMA Field Experiment By Shota Yasui; Tatsushi Oka; Undral Byambadalai; Yuki Oishi
  6. Sports governing bodies vs. antitrust 0 - 4? Sport and competition economics comments on the recent judgements of the European Court of Justice By Budzinski, Oliver
  7. The Christian Opening Toward Dialogue with the Postmodern European Society By Nicolae Vladut Iorga
  8. Audiovisual production and AI: fears of replacement By Marius Bertolucci; Manon Châtel
  9. The Economics of Architecture By Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt; Elisabetta Pietrostefani; Ailin Zhang

  1. By: Schlott, Fabian; Gänßle, Sophia
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tuiedp:335041
  2. By: Jiatong Zhong (University of Alberta)
    Abstract: This paper explores learning-by-doing in the context of creative tasks using detailed data on fiction writers from a digital publishing platform. I construct measures to quantify authors’ performance over time and document significant variation in both starting levels and rates of improvement. Learning manifests as an improvement in quality instead of the speed of production. Writers improve slowly at the beginning, but quality improvement can last for several years, much longer than typically observed in manufacturing settings.
    Keywords: learning by doing; learning curves; creative tasks
    JEL: D83 J24 J46 L82
    Date: 2026–01–20
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ris:albaec:022118
  3. By: Gustavo Berganti\~nos; Juan D. Moreno-Ternero
    Abstract: Sports are one of the most significant products of the entertainment industry, accounting for a large portion of all television (and even platform) viewing. Consequently, the sale of broadcasting and media rights is the most important source of revenue for professional sports clubs. We survey the economic literature dealing with this issue, with a special emphasis on the crucial problem that arises with the allocation of revenues when they are raised from the collective sale of broadcasting rights.
    Date: 2026–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2601.02039
  4. By: Scott Josephson (Capitol Technology University, Maryland, USA); Atif Farid Mohammad (Capitol Technology University, Maryland, USA)
    Abstract: The development of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly influenced music composition, yet current single-agent AI systems face limitations in versatility, adaptability, and collaborative dynamics, often producing repetitive and stylistically rigid compositions. To address these challenges, this research proposes a multi-agent AI framework specifically designed for musical score writing, utilizing Agentic AI principles where autonomous, specialized agents collaboratively contribute elements such as melody, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics, emulating human compositional processes. Employing a mixed-method comparative design with quantitative assessments and qualitative evaluations by expert musicians, the study hypothesizes that multi-agent interactions enhance musical complexity, creativity, and coherence compared to single-agent systems. The expected findings aim to contribute significantly to computational creativity theory and practical applications in education, entertainment, and therapy, highlighting the potential of multi-agent systems to advance human-AI collaborative creativity.
    Keywords: AI Agent, Computational Creativity, Multi-Agent Systems, Multimodal Large Language Model, Musical Score
    Date: 2025–11
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:raiswp:0607
  5. By: Shota Yasui; Tatsushi Oka; Undral Byambadalai; Yuki Oishi
    Abstract: We examine the impact of top-of-screen promotions on viewing time at ABEMA, a leading video streaming platform in Japan. To this end, we conduct a large-scale randomized controlled trial. Given the non-standard distribution of user viewing times, we estimate distributional treatment effects. Our estimation results document that spotlighting content through these promotions effectively boosts user engagement across diverse content types. Notably, promoting short content proves most effective in that it not only retains users but also motivates them to watch subsequent episodes.
    Date: 2026–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:arx:papers:2601.11185
  6. By: Budzinski, Oliver
    Abstract: Commercial sports belong to the biggest entertainment industries in the world and, at the same time, are regularly raising antitrust concerns. This is partly due to the omnipresence of powerful market-internal regulators. These sport governing bodies set, implement, and enforce the rules and additionally engage in commercial activities. In a series of four judgments within less than a year, the European Court of Justice found (potential) antitrust violations in cases of deterring market entry, distorting competition, and exploiting players. This contribution adds economic comments to the predominantly legal literature on these judgements. It concludes that despite important steps in the right direction, more antitrust enforcement is necessary to protect competition in this unique entertainment industry vis-à-vis the presence of market-internal, private regulators. Next to limiting their scope (where the court provided progress), also the incentives for anticompetitive conduct must be addressed.
    Keywords: sport markets, sport governance, competition policy, antitrust, sports associations, institutions, market-internal regulators, European Court of Justice, competition economics, sports economics
    JEL: K21 L40 L50 L83 Z20
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:tuiedp:335047
  7. By: Nicolae Vladut Iorga (Ovidius University of Constanta)
    Abstract: The paper analyzes the ways in which Christianity, especially the Orthodox tradition, can respond to the cultural, spiritual, and social challenges of the postmodern world. In a Europe profoundly shaped by multiculturality, identity tensions, and rapid change, an authentic dialogue between the Church and society becomes necessary. The study highlights the importance of embracing diversity within unity, as well as the risks posed by contemporary cultural fragmentation. It emphasizes the role of faith as a space of personal encounter and a source of meaning in a world dominated by technology and inner instability. The actualization of the Word of God thus becomes essential for rediscovering spiritual identity and for cultivating a living relationship with God and with one’s neighbor. The paper proposes a responsible and mature openness of the Christian toward contemporary society, in a spirit of peace and love.
    Keywords: Multiculturality, Christian Dialogue, Postmodernity, Christianity, Word Of God
    Date: 2025–11
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:smo:raiswp:0613
  8. By: Marius Bertolucci (CERGAM de Toulon - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille/Equipe de recherche de Toulon - CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon - IAE Toulon - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Toulon - UTLN - Université de Toulon); Manon Châtel (CERGAM - Centre d'Études et de Recherche en Gestion d'Aix-Marseille - AMU - Aix Marseille Université - UTLN - Université de Toulon)
    Abstract: Artificial intelligence is completely transforming image production models. The film industry is at the heart of these changes. Will it use its influence to prevent them? Or will new entrants disrupt the established players?
    Abstract: L'intelligence artificielle va bouleverser de fond en comble les modèles de production d'images. Le secteur du cinéma se trouve au cœur de ces mutations. Usera-t-il de son poids pour les empêcher ? À moins que de nouveaux entrants ne viennent perturber le jeu des entreprises en place…
    Keywords: Production cinématographique, Industrie audiovisuelle, Cinéma, Intelligence Artificielle
    Date: 2024–10–20
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05460848
  9. By: Gabriel M. Ahlfeldt; Elisabetta Pietrostefani; Ailin Zhang
    Abstract: We illustrate the coordination problem in the provision of distinctive architectural design that arises from design externalities within a quantitative model. To quantify the model, we conduct a quantitative review of a growing literature concerned with the costs and benefits of distinctive design as well as a survey of architectural design preferences. We find that distinctive buildings sell at a 15% premium, on average. Positive design spillovers from distinctive nearby buildings result in a 9% premium. Distinctive buildings, however, are about 25% more expensive to build. The distribution of design ratings within buildings is well described by a Fréchet distribution with a shape parameter of about 4. Parametrising the model to match these moments, we show in counterfactual simulations that the optimal subsidy of distinctive buildings amounts to 10% of construction costs.
    Keywords: Architecture, design, economics, regulation, welfare
    JEL: R3 N9
    Date: 2026–01–21
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdp:dpaper:0088

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