ESSNET FRAMEWORK FOR CULTURAL STATISTICS The ESSnet framework for - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The ESSnet framework for cultural statistics is universal in the sense that it is based on standardized classifications that is harmonised in most countries The framework for cultural statistics provides a consistent way of measuring one piece of the cultural social economic importance i.e. economic output of cultural industries during a given time period.

ESSNET FRAMEWORK FOR CULTURAL STATISTICS

The main objective for the Swedish Agency for Cultural Policy Analysis is:

based on national cultural policy objectives, assess, analyse and report the

effects of proposals and measures implemented in the cultural sphere. The task also involves analysing trends both in this sphere and in other social areas important in cultural life. (taken from the agency’s instruction)

HOWEVER…

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SWEDISH AGENCY FOR CULTURAL POLICY ANALYSIS?

Our main objective is to evaluate effects of policy measures, planned and implemented, in the cultural sphere in relation to the national cultural policy objectives. We have to analyse to what extent the cultural policy objectives are fulfilled. That involves taking into considering more factors than economic performance in order to get the ”whole picture”.

WHAT IS MEASURED AND WHAT DO WE WANT TO MEASURE?

Policy measures that will affect cultural industries What ESSnet framework measures (partly)

Effects on the economy Effects on culture/cultural field

Primary study objective A piece of the puzzle

TOTAL ECONOMIC VALUE

Total economic value

Use value Direct use value Indirect use value Non-use value Option value Altruistic value Bequest value What ESSnet Framework measures

What we need to take into consideration

CHALLENGES IN MEASURING THE VALUE OF CULTURE

Use value Non-use value Income statement (flow per time unit) Direct use values can partly be measured in monetary flows, such as GDP Demands special methods, i.e. are not captured by market prices Balance sheet (the value of assets – and liabilities – at a given time) Measuring indirect use values is a question for the scientific community A question for the scientific community

CULTURE AS A RESOURCE

David Throsby has suggested that: just as ecosystems support the real economy, so are also the cultural systems – the networks of cultural relationships and institutions that permeate societies – essential to sustain economics activity; thus, for example, it can be argued that when cultural ’ecosystems’ function well, human productivity can be increased and economic growth can be enhanced.

• David Throsby (2005), ”On the sustainability of cultural capital”

CULTURE AS A RESOURCE

From Throsby’s perspective the proposed methodology catches the inner circle for some sectors but not the importance

• f culture for economic

development.

FINAL COMMENTS

We are not saying that you should not use this framework. But you should be aware of what are the limitations in its explanatory power. What we are saying is that this provides only a part of the puzzle and to truly measure the dynamics of culture and economy other concepts needs to be considered as well.

Such as:

The importance of culture as a ”production factor” in the economy. The importance of culture on quality of life and well-being.

However they are not that easy to measure.