Rethinking the Building Blocks of Employee Creativity: A Meta-Synthesis of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Employee creativity refers to the generation of novel and useful ideas by either an individual or a group of individuals who are actively engaged in collaborative endeavors. Organizations can take advantage of new opportunities, maintain their competitive advantage, and adapt to dynamic situations with the help of novel ideas and decisions. Additionally, innovation is closely related to employee creativity, which has a significant impact on market expansion and profitability. Extensive research has been conducted on employee creativity, with a substantial number of studies using a quantitative methodology. The main goal of this study is to create a comprehensive framework that encompasses the factors that impact employee creativity at different levels, based on qualitative findings. An assessment was conducted on 32 qualitative studies through thematic synthesis using the meta-synthesis approach, a qualitative research method that systematically integrates and analyzes the findings of multiple qualitative studies. Through an iterative coding process, related categories and themes across studies were identified and synthesized to generate a detailed understanding of the factors that influence employee creativity. According to the findings, three primary themes, individual-level factors, group-level factors, and organizational-level factors, were identified. This study provides an alternative perspective on the multifaceted nature of employee creativity, providing insights for researchers and practitioners to promote innovation and enhance organizational success.

Keywords

• Employee creativity
• Meta-synthesis
• Qualitative research
• Innovation

References

1. Acar, S., Tadik, H., Myers, D., Van der Sman, C., & Uysal, R. (2023). Creativity and well-being: A meta-analysis. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 55(3), 738-751. google scholar
2. Adams, C., Hooker, L., & Taft, A. (2023). A systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis of the roles of home-visiting nurses working with women experiencing family violence. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(4), 1189-1210. google scholar
3. Amabile, T. M. (1983). The social psychology of creativity: A componential conceptualization. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 45(2), 357. google scholar
4. Amabile, T., & Kramer, S. (2011). The progress principle: Using small wins to ignite joy, engagement, and creativity at work. Harvard Business Press. google scholar
5. Amabile, T. M., & Pillemer, J. (2012). Perspectives on the social psychology of creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 46(1), 3-15. google scholar
6. Amabile, T. M., Schatzel, E. A., Moneta, G. B., & Kramer, S. J. (2004). Leader behaviors and the work envi-ronment for creativity: Perceived leader support. The leadership quarterly, 15(1), 5-32. google scholar
7. Anderson, N., Potocnik, K., & Zhou, J. (2014). Innovation and creativity in organizations: A state-of-the-science review, prospective commentary, and guiding framework. Journal of Management, 40(5), 12971333. google scholar
8. Andriopoulos, C. (2001) Determinants of Organisational Creativity: A Literature Review. Management De-cision, 39, 834-41. google scholar

9. Atkins, S., Lewin, S., Smith, H., Engel, M., Fretheim, A., & Volmink, J. (2008). Conducting a meta-ethnog-raphy of qualitative literature: lessons learnt. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 1-10. google scholar
10. Basadur, M. (2004). Managing creativity: A Japanese model. In Katz, R. (Ed.) The human side of managing technological innovation: A collection of readings. Oxford University Press. google scholar
11. Bell, S.T., Villado, A.J., Lukasik, M., Belau, L. & Briggs, A.L. (2011) Getting specific about demographic diversity variable and team performance relationships: A meta-analysis. Journal of Management, 37(3), 709-743. google scholar
12. Bouncken, R., Brem, A., & Kraus, S. (2016). Multi-cultural teams as sources for creativity and innovati-on: The role of cultural diversity on team performance. International Journal of Innovation Manage-ment, 20(01), 1650012. google scholar
13. Bukantaite, S., & Sedereviciüte-Paciauskiene, Z. (2021). Fashion industry professionals’ viewpoints on cre-ativity at work. Creativity Studies, 14(1), 145-159. google scholar
14. Bunduchi, R. (2009). Implementing best practices to support creativity in NPD cross-functional teams. Inter-national Journal of Innovation Management, 13(04), 537-554. google scholar
15. Byron, K., Khazanchi, S., & Nazarian, D. (2010). The relationship between stressors and creativity: a meta-analysis examining competing theoretical models. Journal of Applied Psychology, 95(1), 201. google scholar
16. Cabra, J. F., Talbot, R. J., & Joniak, A. J. (2007). Potential explanations of climate factors that help and hinder workplace creativity: a case from selected Colombian companies. Cuadernos de Administracion, 20(33), 273-301. google scholar
17. Chamakiotis, P., Dekoninck, E. A., & Panteli, N. (2013). Factors influencing creativity in virtual design teams: An interplay between technology, teams and individuals. Creativity and Innovation Manage-ment, 22(3), 265-279. google scholar
18. Chang, S., Jia, L., Takeuchi, R., & Cai, Y. (2014). Do high-commitment work systems affect creativity? A multilevel combinational approach to employee creativity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 99(4), 665680. google scholar
19. Chuang, L. M. (2007). The social psychology of creativity and innovation: Process theory (PT) perspecti-ve. Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 35(7), 875-888. google scholar
20. Cirella, S. (2021). Managing collective creativity: Organizational variables to support creative teamwork. Eu-ropean Management Review, 18(4), 404-417. google scholar
21. Cirella, S., Guerci, M. & Shani, A.B. (2012) A process model of collaborative management research: The study of collective creativity in the luxury industry. Systemic Practice and Action Research, 25(3), 281300. google scholar
22. De Alencar, E. M. S., & De Bruno-Faria, M. F. (1997). Characteristics of on organizational environment which stimulate and inhibit creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 31(4), 271-281. google scholar
23. De Jesus, S. N., Rus, C. L., Lens, W., & Imaginario, S. (2013). Intrinsic motivation and creativity rela-ted to product: A meta-analysis of the studies published between 1990-2010. Creativity Research Journal, 25(1), 80-84. google scholar
24. Deng, X., & Guan, Z. (2017). Creative leaders create ‘unsung heroes’: leader creativity and subordinate organizational citizenship behavior. Frontiers of Business Research in China, 11(1), 1-13. google scholar
25. Dorenbosch, L., Engen, M. L. V., & Verhagen, M. (2005). On-the-job innovation: The impact of job design and human resource management through production ownership. Creativity and Innovation manage-ment, 14(2), 129-141. google scholar
26. Epstein, R., Kaminaka, K., Phan, V. & Uda, R. (2013) How is creativity best managed? Some empirical and theoretical guidelines. Creativity and Innovation Management, 22(4), 359-374. google scholar
27. Field, A. P., & Gillett, R. (2010). How to do a meta-analysis. British Journal of Mathematical and Statistical Psychology, 63(3), 665-694. google scholar
28. Finfgeld-Connett, D. (2010). Generalizability and transferability of meta-synthesis research findings. Jour-nal of Advanced Nursing, 66(2), 246-254. google scholar
29. Francis, J. J., Johnston, M., Robertson, C., Glidewell, L., Entwistle, V., Eccles, M. P., & Grimshaw, J. M. (2010). What is an adequate sample size? Operationalising data saturation for theory-based interview studies. Psychology and Health, 25(10), 1229-1245. google scholar
30. Gilson, L.L., Lee, Y.S. & Litchfield, R.C. (2019). Advances in team creativity research, Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Business and Management. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. google scholar
31. Gonzalez, R. V. D. (2022). Innovative performance of project teams: the role of organizational structure and knowledge-based dynamic capability. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(5), 1164-1186. google scholar
32. Gupta, V., & Singh, S. (2012). How leaders impact employee creativity: A study of Indian R&D laboratori-es. Management Research Review, 36(1), 66-88. google scholar
33. Han, S. J., Chae, C., Macko, P., Park, W., & Beyerlein, M. (2017). How virtual team leaders cope with crea-tivity challenges. European Journal of Training and Development. 41(3), 261-276. google scholar
34. Hartmann, M., Laubengaier, D., & Foerstl, K. (2019). Live and let die: On the management of creati-vity. Technology Innovation Management Review, 9(10), 16-26. google scholar
35. Harvey, S. (2014) Creative synthesis: Exploring the process of extraordinary group creativity. Academy of Management Review, 39(3),324-343. google scholar
36. Hemlin, S., & Olsson, L. (2011). Creativity-stimulating leadership: A critical incident study of leaders’ influ-ence on creativity in research groups. Creativity and Innovation Management, 20(1), 49-58. google scholar
37. Hoff, E. V., & Öberg, N. K. (2015). The role of the physical work environment for creative employees-a case study of digital artists. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26(14), 1889-1906. google scholar
38. Hoon, C. (2013). Meta-synthesis of qualitative case studies: An approach to theory building. Organizational Research Methods, 16(4), 522-556. google scholar
39. Houghton, J. D. and DiLiello, T. C. 2010. Leadership development: a key to unlocking individual creativity in organizations. Leadership and Development, 31(3), 230-245. google scholar
40. Jaiswal, A., & Arun, C. J. (2022). Working from home during COVID-19 and its impact on Indian employe-es’ stress and creativity. Asian Business & Management, 1-25. google scholar
41. Kakko, I., & Inkinen, S. (2009). Homo creativus: creativity and serendipity management in third generation science and technology parks. Science and Public Policy, 36(7), 537-548. google scholar
42. Kelloway, E. K., & Barling, J. (2000). What we have learned about developing transformational leaders. Le-adership & Organization Development Journal, 21(7), 355-362. google scholar
43. Kim, T. Y., Hon, A. H., & Lee, D. R. (2010). Proactive personality and employee creativity: The effects of job creativity requirement and supervisor support for creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 22(1), 37-45. google scholar
44. Koh, D., Lee, K., & Joshi, K. (2019). Transformational leadership and creativity: A meta-analytic review and identification of an integrated model. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(6), 625-650. google scholar
45. Kruyen, P. M., & van Genugten, M. (2017). Creativity in local government: Definition and determinants. Pub-lic Administration, 95(3), 825-841. google scholar
46. Lace, N., Buldakova, N., & Rumbinaite, G. (2015). Organizational creativity as a driving force for company’s innovative development. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 3(2), 137. google scholar
47. Laukkanen, V, Siimeksela, M., Leavengood, S., & Hansen, E. (2017). Best practices in capturing employee creativity: forest sector firms in the USA and Finland. International Wood Products Journal, 8(1), 10-17. google scholar
48. Lazazzara, A., Tims, M., & De Gennaro, D. (2020). The process of reinventing a job: A meta-synthesis of qualitative job crafting research. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 116, 103267. google scholar
49. Lee, A., Legood, A., Hughes, D., Tian, A. W., Newman, A., & Knight, C. (2020). Leadership, creativity and innovation: A meta-analytic review. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 29(1), 1-35. google scholar
50. Lee, C., Hallak, R., & Sardeshmukh, S. R. (2019). Creativity and innovation in the restaurant sector: Supply-side processes and barriers to implementation. Tourism Management Perspectives, 31, 54-62. google scholar
51. Liu, D., Jiang, K., Shalley, C. E., Keem, S., & Zhou, J. (2016). Motivational mechanisms of employee cre-ativity: A meta-analytic examination and theoretical extension of the creativity literature. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 137, 236-263. google scholar
52. Locke, K. (2002). The grounded theory approach to qualitative research. In F. Drasgow & N. Schmitt (Eds.), Measuring and analyzing behavior in organizations: Advances in measurement and data analy-sis (pp. 17-43). Jossey-Bass/Wiley. google scholar
53. Mangion, M., & Scicluna, K. (2022, November). Exploring the links between ethical leadership, creativity and the work environment in hospital wards. In ECMLG 2022 18th European Conference on Manage-ment, Leadership and Governance. Academic Conferences and Publishing Limited. google scholar
54. Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1994). Qualitative data analysis: An expanded sourcebook. Sage. google scholar
55. Moultrie, J., & Young, A. (2009). Exploratory study of organizational creativity in creative organizati-ons. Creativity and Innovation Management, 18(4), 299-314. google scholar
56. Mumford, M. D., Hunter, S. T., Eubanks, D. L., Bedell, K. E., & Murphy, S. T. (2007). Developing leaders for creative efforts: A domain-based approach to leadership development. Human Resource Management Review, 17(4), 402-417. google scholar
57. Nyawo, P., & Schultz, C. (2020). Managing employee creativity and innovation in selected Zimbabwean manufacturing companies. Southern African Business Review, 24, 2-24. google scholar
58. Nye, E., Melendez-Torres, G. J., & Bonell, C. (2016). Origins, methods and advances in qualitative meta-synthesis. Review of Education, 4(1), 57-79. google scholar
59. Ocker, R. J. (2005). Influences on creativity in asynchronous virtual teams: A qualitative analysis of experi-mental teams. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 48(1), 22-39. google scholar
60. Oldham, G. R., & Cummings, A. (1996). Employee creativity: Personal and contextual factors at work. Aca-demy of Management Journal, 39(3), 607-634. google scholar
61. Olsson, A., B. Paredes, K. M., Johansson, U., Olander Roese, M., & Ritzen, S. (2019). Organizational cli-mate for innovation and creativity-a study in Swedish retail organizations. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 29(3), 243-261. google scholar
62. Omilion-Hodges, L. M., & Ackerman, C. D. (2018). From the technical know-how to the free flow of ideas: exploring the effects of leader, peer, and team communication on employee creativity. Communication Quarterly, 66(1), 38-57. google scholar
63. Paek, B., Martyn, J., Oja, B. D., Kim, M., & Larkins, R. J. (2022). Searching for sport employee creativity: A mixed-methods exploration. European Sport Management Quarterly, 22(4), 483-505. google scholar
64. Paterson, B. L. (2011). It looks great but how do I know if it fits?: An introduction to meta-synthesis research. In Hannes, K., & Lockwood, C. (Eds.), Synthesizing qualitative research: Choosing the right approach (pp 1-20). John Wiley & Sons. google scholar
65. Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... & Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Internatio-nal Journal of Surgery, 88, 105906. google scholar
66. Plucker, J. A., & Beghetto, R. A. (2004). Why Creativity Is Domain General, Why It Looks Domain Specific, and Why the Distinction Does Not Matter. In R. J. Sternberg, E. L. Grigorenko, & J. L. Singer (Eds.), Cre-ativity: From potential to realization (pp. 153-167). American Psychological Association. google scholar
67. Politis, J. D. (2005). Dispersed leadership predictor of the work environment for creativity and producti-vity. European journal ofInnovation Management, 8(2), 182-204. google scholar
68. Rampa, R., & Agogue, M. (2021). Developing radical innovation capabilities: Exploring the effects of tra-ining employees for creativity and innovation. Creativity and Innovation Management, 30(1), 211-227. google scholar
69. Raqshin, S., & Nirjar, A. (2012). Accruing individual potential for creativity and innovation in biotechnology firms. International Journal ofInnovation and Learning, 11(2), 162-181. google scholar
70. Rodrigues, E. C. G., Neris, R. R., Nascimento, L. C., de Oliveira-Cardoso, E. A., & Dos Santos, M. A. (2023). Body image experience of women with breast cancer: A meta-synthesis. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 37(1), 20-36. google scholar
71. Sandelowski, M., Barroso, J., & Voils, C. I. (2007). Using qualitative metasummary to synthesize qualitative and quantitative descriptive findings. Research in Nursing & Health, 30(1), 99-111. google scholar
72. Sarooghi, H., Libaers, D., & Burkemper, A. (2015). Examining the relationship between creativity and in-novation: A meta-analysis of organizational, cultural, and environmental factors. Journal of Business Venturing, 30(5), 714-731. google scholar
73. Shalley, C. E., & Gilson, L. L. (2004). A little creativity goes a long way: An examination of team’s engage-ment in creative processes. Journal ofManagement, 30, 453-470. google scholar
74. Sherief, M. (2019). Key Organizational Climate Elements Influencing Employees’ Creativity in Govern-ment. The Innovation Journal, 24(1), 1-16. google scholar
75. Soral, P., Pati, S. P., Singh, S. K., & Cooke, F. L. (2022). Coping with dirty work: a meta-synthesis from a resource perspective. Human Resource Management Review, 32(4), 100861. google scholar
76. Staw, B. M. (2009). Is group creativity really an oxymoron? Some thoughts on bridging the cohesion-creati-vity divide. In Creativity in Groups (Vol. 12, pp. 311-323). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. google scholar
77. Tan, A. B., van Dun, D. H., & Wilderom, C. P. (2023). Lean innovation training and transformational leaders-hip for employee creative role identity and innovative work behavior in a public service organization. In-ternational Journal ofLean Six Sigma. Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. google scholar
78. Thomas, J., & Harden, A. (2008). Methods for the thematic synthesis of qualitative research in systematic reviews. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 8(1), 1-10. google scholar
79. Tierney, P., & Farmer, S. M. (2002). Creative self-efficacy: Its potential antecedents and relationship to cre-ative performance. Academy of Management Journal, 45, 1137-1148. google scholar
80. Tong, A., Flemming, K., McInnes, E., Oliver, S., & Craig, J. (2012). Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research: ENTREQ. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 12(1), 1-8. google scholar
81. Toye, F., Seers, K., & Barker, K. (2014). A meta-ethnography of patients’ experiences of chronic pelvic pain: struggling to construct chronic pelvic pain as ‘real’. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(12), 2713-2727. google scholar
82. Ullah, Y., Ullah, H., & Jan, S. (2022). The mediating role of employee creativity between knowledge sharing and innovative performance: Empirical evidence from manufacturing firms in emerging markets. Mana-gement Research Review, 45(1), 86-100. google scholar
83. Unsworth, K. L., & Clegg, C. W. (2010). Why do employees undertake creative action?. Journal of Occupa-tional and Organizational Psychology, 83(1), 77-99. google scholar
84. Walsh, D., & Downe, S. (2005). Meta-synthesis method for qualitative research: a literature review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 50(2), 204-211. google scholar
85. Wei, H., Wu, B., Park, H., & Bilimoria, D. (2023). A power-with versus power-over framework of leadership behaviors, employee expectations, and employee creativity: A meta-analysis. Journal of General Mana-gement, 03063070231167221. google scholar
86. Woodman, R.W., Sawyer, J.E. and Griffin, R.W. (1993) Toward a Theory of Organizational Creativity. The Academy of Management Review, 18, 293-321. google scholar
87. Yeh, Y. C. (2017). Research development of creativity. Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, 2017, 1-11. google scholar
88. Yeh, Y. C. (2004). The interactive influences of three ecological systems on R & D employees’ technological creativity. Creativity Research Journal, 16(1), 11-25. google scholar
89. Yekanialibeiglou, S., Demirkan, H., & Denti, L. (2021). Enhancing creativity in activity-based offices: A critical incident study of knowledge workers. Creativity and Innovation Management, 30(4), 763-782. google scholar
90. Zare, M., & Flinchbaugh, C. (2019). Voice, creativity, and big five personality traits: A meta-analysis. Human Performance, 32(1), 30-51. google scholar
91. Zubair, A., Bashir, M., Abrar, M., Baig, S. A., & Hassan, S. Y. (2015). Employee’s participation in decision making and manager’s encouragement of creativity: the mediating role of climate for creativity and chan-ge. Journal of Service Science and Management, 8(03), 306. google scholar
92. Zhang, X., & Bartol, K. M. (2010). The influence of creative process engagement on employee creative per-formance and overall job performance: a curvilinear assessment. Journal of Applied psychology, 95(5), 862. google scholar