I find it useful to divide the characteristics of organizational
creativity into four distinct elements:
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Creator(s) (team or individual) Creative process (how ideas are developed and innovation accomplished) Environment (context) Creative product (results of the process) |
Focusing on one of the four, to the exclusion of the others, can prove fruitless if they are not seen in the larger context of the creative act as a whole. To examine organizational creativity, consider all four elements.
The most neglected element is the environment, which is
the total context of the creative act. An organization concerned
with creating a climate that influences effective creative activity
should consider minimally the following necessary environmental conditions:
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Resources: provide appropriate and sufficient job-related tools, information and human resources. Security: provide competitive wages ... decisions are perceived to be made in the interest of employees; Trust: allows for employee appropriate responsibility and autonomy ... allow for mistakes and emphasize successes; Reward/ recognition: feedback, recognition and reward. |
If a business wishes to
excel in its creative activity consider
these additional environmental conditions:
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Mission: Clear, focused and articulated purpose of roles, team and organization. Rules (policies) and values are clearly established and communicated Communication: unimpeded communication of organizational and project changes, decision, and policies. Opportunity to voice concerns, understandings and ideas and be heard Structure: a fluid & "logical" organizational structure. Decisions are made in appropriate places for maximum fluidity and speed Stimulation: programs to inspire ideas and perspectives. Finding unique solutions to all problems becomes an ethic of the company Requirements: The requirements, direction & constraints of projects are established and communicated. Requirements are emphasized ... not the approach. |