The new middlemen of the digital age: the case of cinema
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to enquire into various forms of innovation and observable configurations in films are observable and document the specific technological fields in cinema, and innovations brought by young IT and digital companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on desk research, a review of literature, review of the technical journals, analysis of annual reports and meeting with experts and industry participants.
Findings
It identifies in most cases the presence of information and communication technologies (ICT) companies, new middlemen of the digital age, that integrate in one or another way the core activity of the cinema industry. These companies (“specialized technological companies” with edge R & D) are playing the rather recent role of “new middlemen” liaising between the different layers of a transformed industrial environment described as the “new ICT ecosystem”.
Research limitations/implications
The size of the sample (case studies) as the paper relies on some emblematic cases which come with some limits for any generalisation. Besides, most of the information is derived from company websites, complemented by trade press which clearly comes with some constraints in terms of accuracy.
Social implications
The paper concludes delineating some potential policy interventions, and identifies the challenges ahead with a focus on the EU.
Originality/value
Innovation is not so frequently dealt with in the studies of the cultural sectors. One very important issue is neglected both in the scientific literature and in the committed reports: the characteristic and the management of R & D in the creative industries, especially in the cultural sector. The paper shed some light on this issue.
Keywords
Citation
Simon, J.P., Benghozi, P.J. and Salvador, E. (2015), "The new middlemen of the digital age: the case of cinema", info, Vol. 17 No. 6, pp. 97-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/info-04-2015-0023
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited