Thinking Creatively at Work: Organization Influences on Creative Problem Solving

TLDR

Creative problem solving at work arises in specific situations and requires particular processes. The article examines how organizational characteristics influence individuals' creative problem‑solving efforts. The authors describe organizational variables that can facilitate or impede the application of creative problem‑solving processes. The study concludes that these variables affect creative problem solving and outlines implications for future research.

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this article, we consider how peoples' creative problem solving efforts are influenced by characteristics of the organizations in which they work. We begin examining the situations which call for creative problem solving at work. We then consider the kinds of processes people must apply to solve these problems. Additionally, we describe certain organizational variables that might help or hinder effective application of these processes.' Some conclusions‐are drawn concerning how these variables act to influence creative problem solving at work. The implications of these observations for future research are discussed.