There is no simple definition of “creativity” that encompasses all the various dimensions of this phenomenon. Indeed, in the field of psychology, where individual creativity has been most widely studied, there is no agreement as to whether creativity is an attribute of people or a process by which original ideas are generated.
Fundamental to an understanding of the creative economy — what it comprises and how it functions in the economies of both developed and developing countries — are the concepts of “cultural industries” and “creative industries”. Much debate surrounds these terms. This chapter provides an overview of the development of the concepts of “creativity” throughout this decade leading to what became known as the “creative economy”. Our intention is not to reach a final consensus about concepts, but to understand its evolution. It also considers the emergence of the associated concepts of “creative class”, “creative cities”, “creative clusters”, as well as the most recent innovative notions relating to the “experience economy” “creative commons” and “creative ecology”. The major drivers of the growth of the creative economy and its multiple dimensions are examined in the light of recent developments including the world economic crisis
