Managing the creative process in organizations

Abstract

<p>Creative behavior can be increased and managed in business and industry. This paper reviews the variables associated with nurturing creative activity. Organizational creative behavior is defined as a three stage process of problem finding, problem solving and solution implementation activity. Acceptance of the value of and skill in the ideation-evaluation two-step creative thinking paradigm are identified as i".lportant variables antecedent to increased creative performance. The empirical discovery that these antecedent variables are likely multi-dimensional is reflected in the model. The paper also seeks to provide a better understanding of the organizational, group and individual factors which probably moderate the relationships in these models. The groundwork is laid for future research exploring the possibility that different optimal ratios of ideation activity and evaluation activity may exist at each of the three stages above.</p>