The impacts of cultural event on networking: Liverpool’s cultural sector in the aftermath of 2008

The aim of this paper is to discuss how the construct of networking and social capital can be used to understand the effect events can have on the cultural sector. Based on case study, this research sought the views of those working in the cultural sector on Liverpool’s year as the European Capital of Culture (ECOC). Methodologically, this study involves literature review to prompt theoretical sensitivity, the collection of primary data via online survey (n = 42) and follow-up telephone interviews (n = 8) to explore the emerging findings in more detail. The findings point to a number of ways in which the ECOC constitutes a boost for networking and its effects on the city’s cultural sector, including organisational learning, aspiration and leadership. The contributions of this study are twofold: (1) evaluating the long-term effects on network formation in the cultural sector following a major event; (2) conceptualising the impact assessment of organisational social capital for future ECOC or similar events.