The role of data visualization literacy in public administration in the era of AI adoption

Ignacio Montalvá , Virgilio Pérez and Jose M. Pavía

International Journal of Engineering Business Management.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and data-driven tools become integral to governmental decision-making, the ability to interpret and reason with visual information emerges as a critical competence for operating effectively in AI-mediated analytical environments. However, empirical evidence on the level of data visualization literacy within public administrations remains limited. To address this gap, the study provides a large-scale, diagnostic, and descriptive analysis of Data Visualization Literacy (DVL) performance in a real public organizational setting, using a standardized assessment instrument. A cross-sectional survey of 1,219 public employees was conducted using a...

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems and data-driven tools become integral to governmental decision-making, the ability to interpret and reason with visual information emerges as a critical competence for operating effectively in AI-mediated analytical environments. However, empirical evidence on the level of data visualization literacy within public administrations remains limited. To address this gap, the study provides a large-scale, diagnostic, and descriptive analysis of Data Visualization Literacy (DVL) performance in a real public organizational setting, using a standardized assessment instrument. A cross-sectional survey of 1,219 public employees was conducted using a bilingual Spanish–Valencian adaptation of the Mini-VLAT (12 items; 25 seconds per item), evaluating participants’ capacity to interpret, analyze, and reason with graphical representations of data. Mean performance reached 57.8% correct, with 27.1% omissions and 15.1% errors. Tasks involving proportional or relational reasoning—particularly stacked charts—produced the lowest accuracy and the highest nonresponse. Performance patterns were consistent: accuracy declined with age, improved with higher educational attainment, and varied across departments. Omissions under time pressure, rather than misinterpretation, were the predominant source of error. The findings underscore the importance of treating DVL as part of the institutional infrastructure, through periodic diagnostics, shared graphic-interoperability standards, targeted domain training under time constraints, and longitudinal monitoring to preserve epistemic control while harnessing AI’s speed and scale.

Creative regions in the 21st century

Rafael Boix-Domènech, Luciana Lazzeretti

Handbook of creative regions.

This chapter introduces the Handbook of Creative Regions and explains the need for an integrated and multidimensional approach to creative regions, a concept that remains underdeveloped in both academic literature and policymaking. It traces the genealogy and evolution of the concept, examines its multiple territorial scales, and outlines a global geography of creativity. The chapter also discusses the economic and social impacts of creativity—both positive and adverse—and proposes key directions for future research.

Global economic effects of cultural and creative industries

Fernando Álvarez

Hanbook of creative regions.

This chapter provides an empirical analysis of the economic effects of cultural and creative industries at the global scale using international input–output models. Based on an ambitious methodological strategy, it evaluates comparatively when and under which conditions creative specialisation generates higher value added. The findings help to temper overly optimistic narratives and offer robust evidence on the actual role of creativity in economic development.

The role of cultural and creative industries in promoting regional well-being

Jordi Sanjuan

Handbook of creative regions.

This chapter explores the relationship between creativity and regional well-being using advanced causal analysis methods. The study shows that the effects of creative industries extend beyond economic growth and affect, unevenly, dimensions such as education, housing, health, and life satisfaction. The findings highlight the need to interpret territories as complex systems when analysing creativity-based development strategies.

Creative regions in China: trends and issues

Qianni Feng, Chuan Li, Jing Wang

Handbook of regions.

This chapter examines the development of creative regions in China within a specific institutional, territorial, and political context. It shows how creativity unfolds in an environment characterised by sharp urban–rural disparities and active state intervention. By moving beyond Eurocentric perspectives, the chapter broadens the comparative framework of the Handbook and contributes to a more diverse understanding of global creative geographies.

In search of the creative grail: methodological issues to understand what creativity is, how to measure it and how to use it in policy strategies for creative regions

Pau Rausell

Handbook of Creative Regions.

This chapter addresses the main epistemological and methodological challenges involved in defining and measuring creativity at the regional level. By conceptualising creativity as an economic, social, and symbolic resource, it critically examines simplistic indicators and dominant narratives. The chapter provides conceptual criteria and analytical tools for a more rigorous and contextualised interpretation, contributing to a more responsible use of the concept in research and policy design.

Handbook of creative regions

Rafael Boix-Domènech and Luciana Lazzeretti

This pioneering Handbook brings together experts from a broad array of disciplines to explore creative regions worldwide. Pairing theoretical and practical insights, it presents an integrated and multidimensional account of the creative region, addressing major issues surrounding the concept and proposing a future research agenda. Through global analyses and case studies from both developing and developed regions, this Handbook studies the origins of the concept of creative regions in scientific literature and policymaking, shedding light on the global geographies of creativity from metropolitan regions to the rural-urban divide. It also examines the positive and adverse effects of...

This pioneering Handbook brings together experts from a broad array of disciplines to explore creative regions worldwide. Pairing theoretical and practical insights, it presents an integrated and multidimensional account of the creative region, addressing major issues surrounding the concept and proposing a future research agenda. Through global analyses and case studies from both developing and developed regions, this Handbook studies the origins of the concept of creative regions in scientific literature and policymaking, shedding light on the global geographies of creativity from metropolitan regions to the rural-urban divide. It also examines the positive and adverse effects of creativity on the well-being and the economy of regions, as well as the technological and social dimensions of creative geographies, including the role of artificial intelligence. This Handbook is an essential resource for scholars of regional economics and regional studies, economic geography and cultural economics. It also provides insightful strategies for regional policymakers, urban planners, economic developers, and cultural and creative managers.

How do cultural and creative industries shape wellbeing? A multidisciplinary review.

Jordi Sanjuán

European Journal of Cultural Management and Policy (ENCATC).

The article provides a multidisciplinary review of the literature, both theoretical and empirical, to establish the state of the art regarding the relationship between cultural and creative industries and multidimensional well-being. Beyond a thorough analysis of the existing research, it also proposes an innovative theoretical framework that explains how this relationship is structured and through which channels impacts on well-being are generated. This approach seeks to contribute to both academic research and the design of public policies and cultural strategies. It is especially relevant for cultural managers, researchers, and policymakers aiming to better understand and enhance the...

The article provides a multidisciplinary review of the literature, both theoretical and empirical, to establish the state of the art regarding the relationship between cultural and creative industries and multidimensional well-being. Beyond a thorough analysis of the existing research, it also proposes an innovative theoretical framework that explains how this relationship is structured and through which channels impacts on well-being are generated. This approach seeks to contribute to both academic research and the design of public policies and cultural strategies. It is especially relevant for cultural managers, researchers, and policymakers aiming to better understand and enhance the connections between culture and quality of life.

Cultural and Creative Sectors and Green Transition. Some Evidence and Reflection

Pau Rausell-Köster, Raul Abeledo-Sanchis, i Jordi Sanjuán

Culture, Innovation and the Green Economy Towards a Sustainable Future in Europe.

The book offers a theoretical and practical analysis of the contemporary approach to art, culture and innovation, with special emphasis on the relationship between culture, innovation and the economy, in the context of green transition, as an indispensable sustainability factor. It presents new models that can be implemented, especially within strategic cultural planning, serving to ensure future development and attain certain levels of stability. The book argues that the cultural ecosystem should not be treated as merely a segment of the economy, but rather as a system that contains the economy. One of the main issues covered in the book is climate change. More than fifty years have...

The book offers a theoretical and practical analysis of the contemporary approach to art, culture and innovation, with special emphasis on the relationship between culture, innovation and the economy, in the context of green transition, as an indispensable sustainability factor. It presents new models that can be implemented, especially within strategic cultural planning, serving to ensure future development and attain certain levels of stability. The book argues that the cultural ecosystem should not be treated as merely a segment of the economy, but rather as a system that contains the economy. One of the main issues covered in the book is climate change. More than fifty years have passed since the first major conference of the United Nations (UN) on the Environment held in Stockholm in 1972, which gave birth to the "Stockholm Declaration", and also cemented the global environmental movement. Thanks to Agenda 2030, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement, there is an increased awareness of the dangers posed by climate change and of the need to switch to sustainable energy sources and a circular economy in the hope of preventing environmental problems that threaten life on Earth. Each chapter provides an accessible bank of knowledge on which existing theory and practice can be developed and new projects undertaken. The book adopts a highly interdisciplinary approach for open science, bridging theoretical insights with practical applications, and offers a comprehensive perspective that is both informative and actionable, so it can be used by academics, researchers, policymakers and cultural professionals for planning and development within the cultural sector.