The evolution of niche: variety in knowledge networks in the global music industry

This paper examines the evolution of niches in creative industries, specifically the music industry. We conceptualise niche evolution as a manifestation of Schumpeterian disruption, and the music scene as a representation of a creative niche. Through mixed methods, we analyse niche evolution in collaboration networks over sixty years. We show that niche evolution exhibits recombination and reinforcement of new ideas, and propose that niche emergence and evolution in the music industry can be categorised as following three different pathways: seed fragmentation networks with early recombination and intermediate-stage reinforcement, often resulting from break-ups of highly influential bands; creative horizontal networks with intermediate-stage recombination and reinforcement, consisting of tightly knit communities with delayed commercial breakthroughs; and artist experimentation networks with late recombination and reinforcement, consisting of small niches of sub-genre innovations. This paper opens up new research directions for niche evolution, which can advance understanding of knowledge-intensive innovation ecosystems in other sectors.