Stakeholder Positioning and Cultural Diversity in the Creative Sector: A Case Study of the London Modern Architecture Scene

Abstract

This chapter explores the antecedents of stakeholder positioning in the creative sector, a sector well known for its diversity in organizational cultures. Drawing from empirical data collected at the heart of London's modern architecture scene we analyze the interactive process of commissioned artwork among architects and professional modern artists. We examine how positioning by artists and their commissioning architects relates to bringing creative outputs to the market, while taking the diversity of organizational cultures into account. First, we show that an accurate understanding of one's positioning and the positioning of one's counterparts in a commissioned arts work process is critical to steer creative collaboration. Second, we provide an overview of positioning criteria to take into account by artists or commissioning architects operating in a culturally diverse environment. The insights rendered illustrate a gap in the heart of our understanding of positioning and leadership.