Abstract

The paper discusses the problems of studying labour in the cultural and creative sectors. As part of a project implemented by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation, within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan "Greece 2.0" and funded by the European Union - NextGenerationEU, a survey investigating social cohesion and labour precarity in the cultural and creative industries, including musicians, has been designed and is currently underway (for more details on the project, see https://creativelabour.gr/).

In particular, the issues discussed concern surveys of artistic and creative labor using quantitative methods. The heterogeneity and diversity of working conditions and labour relations in these sectors pose a number of challenges in the attempt to achieve the standardization that quantitative data collection implies, but also in the attempt to operationalize the fundamental constructs for empirical research by producing observable and measurable indicators. The paper discusses the difficulties and challenges involved in this endeavor.

The paper summarizes the factors that have some influence on the identity crisis often expressed by those working in these sectors. Emphasis is placed on analyzing the dimensions of social cohesion, highlighting in particular the issues related to the dimension of professional and occupational identity.