Professional mobility characteristics of digital content creators in the creative industries: key features

Abstract

The purpose of the study within the creative industries sector is to identify stable patterns determining vertical professional mobility in the field of digital content creation. 

The sociological investigation into the mobility challenges faced by content creators in this sector based not only on classic theories of social mobility but also, significantly, upon the tenets of Johan Huizinga’s *Homo Ludens* regarding the all-encompassing nature of the phenomenon of play. A large-scale survey was conducted involving 900 respondents—participants in the creative industries residing in major metropolitan areas—alongside an expert survey of over 40 creative industry professionals. It is important to consider the practical experience of the co-author, who has been professionally engaged in creative industry content creation for over 20 years, including work in formats “Fun and Creative Club” (KNA) and blogging. An analysis of the empirical data from this pilot sociological study (N=900)—conducted by P.P. Yanchuk—revealed the structure and determinants of vertical professional mobility within the digital content creation sphere. 

Preliminary conclusions are drawn regarding the existence of stable patterns linking respondents’ social origins, educational backgrounds, early socialization experiences (specifically, involvement in team-based competitive formats such as KVN), and their current professional status (including income levels and career strategies). The study highlights the heterogeneity of this professional group and facilitates the delineation of a socio-stratificational model for the sector.