Intercultural Entrepreneurship in Creative Place-making

Abstract

This chapter explores the role of microcultural and intercultural creative entrepreneurship. Taking microcultures as small groups who share a common values, beliefs, behaviours, and heritage, it explores how cultural value is created through entrepreneurial activities within and between microcultures, and in relation to the macroculture. The chapter argues that processes of learning, interaction, and cultural exchange enhance intercultural understanding and shape entrepreneurial behaviours across cultural boundaries, leading to enhanced cultural and economic value and innovation. It explores the role of microcultures and intercultural entrepreneurship beyond the generalised term of the cultural economy, by recognising the diversity of cultural relations and activities, embedded in and produced by and through a myriad of ethnic groups, communities, organisations and other social collectives.

Building on a range of theoretical contributions, the chapter develops a conceptual framework for micro-cultural entrepreneurship, which is used explore inter- and intra-cultural innovation and value creation in two case studies: Leicester in the UK and Cape Breton in Canada. The chapter concludes that the practice of a micro-cultural framework provides useful insights in understanding cultural entrepreneurship and that intercultural innovation has significant potential for enhancing cultural value and creative place-making.