Analysing decisions on diversity and opportunity in the cultural and creative industries: A new framework

This article proposes a new conceptual framework for analysing diversity and opportunity in the cultural and creative industries as outcomes of specific decisions. It suggests the following three analytical foci: (1) the points at which decisions influence an individual’s opportunities for workforce participation and advancement; (2) individual workers as objects of decisions, in particular with respect to (a) an individual’s likelihood of being considered in a particular decision process in the first place and (b) what individuals present for decision makers to decide upon; and (3) the decision makers and the context of their decision making. Using this conceptual framework, this article reviews and synthesises existing evidence from academic and industry research to ascertain what is currently understood about the factors that influence decisions about workforce participation, promotion and admission into higher education, and which research gaps remain. By focusing on decisions, this article transcends current analysis of diversity and opportunity in the cultural and creative industries, which is largely concerned with how social and economic capital intersects with work and employment practices to shape workers’ opportunities. The article argues that a decision-making focus enables an important shift of perspective for understanding diversity and opportunity in the cultural and creative industries and how they might be improved.