Intellect

Authors:  Hélène Martin-Brelot 
DOI: 10.1386/cij.2.1.91/1

Keywords
hard and soft location factors, creative industries, managers, policies

Abstract
What are the conditions for the growth of creative industries in Toulouse? Semi-structured interviews with twenty managers and seven experts in the audio-visual, web design and consultancy sectors aid understanding of the importance of different location factors. The personal trajectory effect is significant since three quarters of the managers were born or studied in the region. The second major reason explaining their presence in Toulouse relates to the size of the city, which provides business opportunities and a skilled labour force. More intangible aspects like the general urban atmosphere matter, however, are not overriding. Since the 1960s, Toulouse's development has led to a specialization, mainly in aeronautics, space and electronics, and although they have grown more recently, creative industries are far from being representative of the local economic fabric. A major criticism made by managers to local leaders refers to their scepticism towards emergent, small and flexible businesses related to arts and entertainment.