Creativity in Organizations

(1) INTRODUCTION: Creativity in organisations may be defined as the process by which new ideas that make innovation possible are developed. It is the ability to generate novel and useful ideas and solutions to everyday problems and challenges. For many years, technology has supplanted people in the performance of many routine jobs and has increasingly assumed prominence in more sophisticated processes. The universal availability of inexpensive technology has created a highly competitive global marketplace and fuelled the growth of robust, knowledge- based economies in developing countries, with India and China as the prime examples. Developed countries such as the United states no longer claim a competitive advantage based on exclusive access to advanced technology and a well trained workforce. (2) RELAVANCE IN TODAY’S ERA: Creativity has traditionally been viewed as the gift of a small number of talented people. The concept that groups and organizations can function creatively reflects the growing importance of creativity as a driver of innovation and organisational success As the global playing field becomes increasingly level, many business forecasters are predicting that workforce creativity and innovation will be the most important factors in establishing and maintaining a competitive advantage. Logic, linear thinking and rule based analysis-functions located in the left side of the human brain-will remain important, but are no longer sufficient to succeed in the global economy. Many experts, such as author Daniel Pink (a keynote speaker at the Society for Human Resource Management’s 2007 Annual Conference and Exposition) believe that, to succeed, organisations must place greater emphasis on right brain functions: artistic, big picture thinking and the ability to put things in context. Management practices that support creative and innovative thinking will undoubtedly be more challenging than managing task oriented, routine jobs. These concepts create

References: Susan Meisinger: Creativity and Innovation: Key Drivers for Success. HR Magazine May 2007 Griffen Moorhead: Fundamentals of Organisational Behaviour, Managing people and organisation Wayne Morris: Enablers of Organisational Creativity - Ten Factors.mht Creating Creativity.mht Creativity at work the ability to display productive originality.mht