Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Creativity at Work: Trends and Perspectives

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Organizational Psychology and Evidence-Based Management

Abstract

In face of a growing demand for new creations in the increasingly competitive corporate world, creativity has been a prominent theme in organizations. This chapter reviews national and international literature on this subject. Initially, the concept of creativity is discussed from the individual perspective to the organizational perspective. Following, the main models of analysis are presented, as well as the psychological theories that have been used to understand this complex phenomenon. Subsequently, training programs are presented that illustrate real actions that can be undertaken with the aim of fostering creativity. In conclusion, an integrative and potentializing model of creativity at work is proposed, which was built on the basis of empirical evidence and can be used as a management tool.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 69.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 89.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aggarwal, Y., & Bhatia, N. (2011). Creativity and innovation in management: A fuel for growth. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(5), 288–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alencar, E. M. L. S., & Bruno-Faria, M. F. (1997). Characteristics of an organizational environment which stimulate and inhibit creativity. Journal of Creative Behavior, 31(4), 271–281.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alencar, E. M. L., & Fleith, D. d. S. (2003). Contribuições teóricas recentes ao estudo da criatividade. Psicologia: Teoria e Pesquisa, 19(1), 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (1983). The social psychology of creativity: A componential conceptualization. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45, 357–376.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (1985). Motivation and creativity: Effects of motivational orientation on creative writers. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 48, 393–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (1996). Creativity in context. Boulder, CO: Westview.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M. (2012). Componential theory of creativity. Working Paper 12–096, Harvard Business School.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M., & Mueller, J. S. (2008). Studying creativity, its processes, and its antecedents: An exploration of the componential theory of creativity. Em J. Zhou & C. E. Shalley (Orgs.). Handbook of organizational creativity (pp. 33–55). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amabile, T. M., Barsade, S. G., Mueller, J. S., & Staw, B. M. (2005). Affect and creativity at work. Administrative Science Quarterly, 50, 367–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baas, M., De Dreu, C. K. W., & Nijstad, B. A. (2008). A meta-analysis of 25 years of mood–creativity research: Hedonic tone, activation, or regulatory focus? Psychological Bulletin, 134, 779–806.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bandura, A. (1991). Social cognitive theory of self-regulation. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50, 248–287.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barron, F., & Harrington, D. M. (1981). Creativity, intelligence, and personality. Annual Review of Psychology, 32, 439–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batey, M. (2012). The measurement of creativity: From definitional consensus to the introduction of a new heuristic framework. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 55–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Batey, M., & Furnham, A. (2006). Creativity, intelligence and personality: A critical review of the scattered literature. Genetic, Social and General Psychology Monographs, 132(4), 355–429.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beneditti, P. C. A. (2015). Estratégias e programas de desenvolvimento da criatividade. In M. F. Morais, L. C. Miranda, & S. M. Wechsler (Orgs.), Criatividade: Aplicações práticas em contextos internacionais (pp. 325–346). São Paulo, Brazil: Vetor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruno-Faria, M. D. F., Veiga, H. M. D. S., & Macêdo, L. F. (2008). Criatividade nas organizações: análise da produção científica nacional em periódicos e livros de Administração e Psicologia. Revista Psicologia Organizações e Trabalho, 8(1), 142–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chávez-Eakle, R. A., Eakle, A. J., & Cruz-Fuentes, C. (2012). The multiple relations between creativity and personality. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 76–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coveney, B. (2008). Assessing the organizational climate for creativity in a UK Public Library Service: A case study. Library and Information Research, 32(102), 38–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1997). Creativity: Flow and the psychology of discovery and invention (2nd ed.). New York: Harper Perennial.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cunha, M. P., Clegg, S. R., & Kamoche, K. (2006). Surprises in management and organization: Concept, sources and a typology. British Journal of Management, 17, 317–329.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Dreu, C. K. W., Baas, M., & Nijstad, B. (2008). Hedonic tone and activation level in the mood-creativity link: Toward a dual pathway to creativity model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 94(5), 739–756. doi:10.1080/10400419.2012.650092.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ElMeleggy, A. R., Mohiuddin, Q., Boronico, J., & Maasher, A. A. (2016). Fostering creativity in creative environments: An empirical study of Saudi Architectural Firms. Contemporary Management Research, 12(1), 89–110.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feldhusen, J. F., Treffinger, D. J., & Bahlke, S. J. (1970). Developing creative thinking: The Purdue creativity program. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 4(2), 85–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira, M. C., Fischer, R., Porto, J. B., Pilati, R., & Milfont, T. L. (2012). Unravelling the mystery of Brazilian Jeitinho: A cultural exploration of social norms. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 38(3), 331–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ford, C. M. (1996). A theory of individual creative action in multiple social domains. Academy of Management Review, 21(4), 1112–1142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, D. G. (1990). Task complexity effects on non-task-related movements: A test of activation theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 45, 209–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, J. M., & Zhou, J. (2002). Understanding when bad moods foster creativity and good ones don’t: The role of context and clarity of feelings. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87, 687–697.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Glaveanu, V. P. (2013). Rewriting the language of creativity: The five A’s framework. Review of General Psychology, 17(01), 69–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, J., Rodrigues, F., & Veloso, A. (2016). Creativity at work: The role of context. In H. Shipton, P. Budhwar, P. Sparrow, & A. Brown (Eds.), Human resource management, innovation and performance (pp. 282–297). London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, A. M., & Berry, J. W. (2011). The necessity of others is the mother of invention: Intrinsic and prosocial motivations, perspective taking, and creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 54, 73–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guilford, J. P. (1956). The structure of intellect. Psychological Bulletin, 53(4), 267–293.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guilford, J. P. (1967). Creativity: Yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 1(1), 3–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hammond, M. M., Neff, N. L., Farr, J. L., Schwall, A. R., & Zhao, X. (2011). Predictors of individual-level innovation at work: A meta-analysis. Psychology of Aesthetics, 5(1), 90–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hennessey, B. A., & Amabile, T. M. (2010). Creativity. Annual Review of Psychology, 61, 569–598.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hocevar, D., & Bachelor, P. (1989). A taxonomy and critique of measurements used in the study of creativity. In J. A. Glover, R. R. Ronning, & C. R. Reynolds (Orgs.), Handbook of creativity. New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoever, I. L., Van Knippenberg, D., Van Ginkel, W. P., & Barkema, H. G. (2012). Fostering team creativity: Perspective taking as key to unlocking diversity’s potential. Journal of Applied Psychology, 97, 982–996.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karasek, R. A. (1979). Job Demand, job decision latitude, and mental strain: Implications for job redesign. Administrative Science Quarterly, 24, 285–308.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelley, H. H. (1952). Two functions of reference groups. In G. Swanson, T. Newcomb, & E. Hartley (Eds.), Society for the psychological study of social issues, readings in social psychology (pp. 410–414). New York: Holt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kreitler, S., & Casaki, H. (2009). Motivation for creativity in design students. Creativity Research Journal, 21(2–3), 282–293.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lepine, J. A., Podsakoff, N. P., & Lepine, N. A. (2005). A meta-analytic test of the challenge stressor–hindrance stressor framework: An explanation for inconsistent relationships among stressors and performance. Academy of Management Journal, 48(5), 764–775. doi:10.5465/AMJ.2005.18803921.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loiola, E., Bastos, A. V. B., & Macambira, M. O. (2013). Redes sociais em contextos organizacionais: ferramenta de análise e intervenção. In: O trabalho e as organizações: atuações a partir da Psicologia. 1ed. Artmed, p. 150–180.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ma, H.-H. (2006). A synthetic analysis of the effectiveness of single components and packages in creativity training programs. Creativity Research Journal, 18(4), 435–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, H.-H. (2009). The effect size of variables associated with creativity: A meta-analysis. Creativity Research Journal, 21(1), 30–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Merton, R. K. (1957). Continuities in the theory of reference groups and social structure. In R. K. Merton (Ed.), Social theory and social structure (pp. 281–386). Glencoe, IL: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mueller, J. S., & Kamdar, D. (2011). Why seeking help from teammates is a blessing and a curse: A theory of help seeking and individual creativity in team contexts. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(2), 263.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nakano, T. (2011). Programas de treinamento em criatividade: conhecendo as práticas e resultados. Revista Semestral da Associação Brasileira de Psicologia Escolar e Educacional, SP, 15(2), 311–322.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Keefe, W. M., & Souder, W. E. (1979). Quatorze ténicas úteis para a solução de problemas técnicos e para estímulo à criatividade. Revista de Administração USP, 14(4), 39–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oldham, G. R., & Cummings, A. (1996). Employee creativity: Personal and contextual factors at work. The Academy of Management Journal, 39, 607–634.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osborn, M. J. (1963). Studies on the gram-negative cell wall, I. Evidence for the role of 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate in the lipopolysaccharide of Salmonella typhimurium. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 50(3), 499–506.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piirto, J. (2004). Understanding creativity. Scottsdale: Great Potential Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prabhu, V., Sutton, C., & Sauser, W. (2008). Creativity and certain personality traits: Understanding the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation. Creativity Research Journal, 20, 53–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pretz, J. E., & McCollum, V. A. (2014). Self-perceptions of creativity do not always reflect actual creative performance. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 8, 227–236.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renzulli, J. S. (1973). Talent potential in minority group students. Exceptional Children, 39(6), 437–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, V. M. R. F. (2015). Quatro estratégias de intervenção para o desenvolvimento do pensamento criativo em programas de desenvolvimento da criatividade para a liderança. In M. F. Morais, L. C. Miranda, & S. M. Wechsler (Orgs.), Criatividade: Aplicações práticas em contextos internacionais (pp. 347–370). São Paulo: Vetor.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodrigues, F. C., & Veloso, A. (2013). A Relevância Da Gestão de Recursos Humanos Para a Inovação Organizacional. Special issue on innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Revista Psicologia: Organizações e Trabalho, 13(3), 41–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Runco, M. A., & Jaeger, G. J. (2012). The standard definition of creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 24(1), 92–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Runco, M. A., Acar, S., Campbell, W. K., Jaeger, G., McCain, J., & Gentile, B. (2016). Comparisons of the creative class and regional creativity with perceptions of community support and community barriers. Business Creativity and the Creative Economy, 2(1), 83–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scott, G., Leritz, L. E., & Mumford, M. D. (2004). The effectiveness of creativity training: A quantitative review. Creativity Research Journal, 16(4), 361–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shalley, C. E., Gilson, L. L., & Blum, T. C. (2000). Matching creativity requirements and the work environment: Effects on satisfaction and intentions to leave. The Academy of Management Journal, 43(2), 215–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shalley, C. E., Zhou, J., & Oldham, G. R. (2004). The effects of personal and contextual characteristics on creativity: Where should we go from here? Journal of Management, 30(6), 933–958.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shalley, C. E., Gilson, L. L., Blum, C., & T. C. (2009). Interactive effects of growth need strength, work context, and job complexity on self-reported creative performance. The Academy of Management Journal, 52(3), 489–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Silvia, P. J., Wigert, B., Reiter-Palmon, R., & Kaufman, J. C. (2012). Assessing creativity with self-report scales: A review and empirical evaluation. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 6(1), 19–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, M. I. (1953). Creativity and culture. The Journal of Psychology: Interdisciplinary and Applied, 36(2), 311–322.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg, R. J. (2014). Psicologia Cognitiva. Cengage Learning: São Paulo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taggar, S. (2002). Individual creativity and group ability to utilize individual creative resources: A multilevel model. Academy of Management Journal, 45, 315–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tsai, K. C. (2014). A review of the effectiveness of creative training on adult learners. Journal of Social Science Studies, 1(1), 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vroom, V. H. (1964). Work and motivation. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • West, M. A. (2002). Ideas are ten a penny: It’s team implementation not idea generation that counts. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 51(3), 411–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Woodman, R. W., Sawyer, J. E., & Griffin, R. W. (1993). Toward a theory of organizational creativity. Academy of Management Review, 18, 293–321.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., & George, J. M. (2001). When job dissatisfaction leads to creativity: Encouraging the expression of voice. Academy of Management Journal, 44(4), 682–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., & Hoever, I. J. (2014). Research on workplace creativity: A review and redirection. Annual Review in Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 1, 333–359.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, J., & Shalley, C. E. (2003). Research on employee creativity: A critical review and directions for future research. In J. J. Martocchio & G. R. Ferris (Eds.), Research in personnel and human resources management (Vol. 22, pp. 165–217). Oxford: Elsevier.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, Q., Hirst, G., & Shipton, H. (2012). Promoting creativity at work: The role of problem-solving demand. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 61(1), 56–80. doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2011.00455.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

    Helenides Mendonça

  2. Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

    Heila Magali da Silva Veiga

  3. Universidade Metodista de São Paulo, São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo, Brazil

    Magno Macambira

Authors
  1. Helenides Mendonça
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Heila Magali da Silva Veiga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Magno Macambira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helenides Mendonça .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Work Psychology, University of Brasília, Institute of Psychology, Brasília, Brazil

    Elaine Rabelo Neiva

  2. Department of Social and Work Psychology, University of Brasília, Institute of Psychology, Brasília, Brazil

    Cláudio Vaz Torres

  3. Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

    Helenides Mendonça

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mendonça, H., da Silva Veiga, H.M., Macambira, M. (2017). Creativity at Work: Trends and Perspectives. In: Neiva, E., Torres, C., Mendonça, H. (eds) Organizational Psychology and Evidence-Based Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64304-5_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation