Collective creativity: wisdom or oxymoron?

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate ways in which collective creativity and individual creativity exist in an "and/both" rather than in an "either/or" relationship.Design / methodology approach -This study uses and interrelates a number of dualities using "metalectics", the principal task of which is to balance seemingly conflicting opposites by revealing them and locating them on their strengths.Findings -Collective creativity, as a bridging metaphor, renders itself as an oxymoron, both literally and as an outcome: where individual and collective creativity are dichotomised, diversity is treated as a constraint, and collaboration is confused with coordination. Research limitations/implications -An essential of creativity is deviancy, and that this has to be valued to bring about change.Practical implications -Heterogeneous communities of practice should not be confused with homogenous communities of practice because this causes artificial dialogues that destroy the very creativity they claim to ignite.Originality/value -The paper offers an alternative way of thinking, arguing for a move away from simplified, unbalanced perspectives of creativity that focus on onedimensionality and asymmetry.

Organizational Variables for Developing Collective Creativity in Business: A Case from an Italian Fashion Design Company

“…The intrinsic relationship between collective and individual creativity seems to be related to a ‘creative synthesis’ (Harvey, ) occurring along a complex social process (Watson, ). In conclusion, in line with the view of a mutual relationship between collective and individual creativity (Chaharbaghi & Cripps, ; Watson, ), the following hypothesis has been developed:Hypothesis Collective creativity and individual creativity will be positively correlated.…”

“…Steinbeck, 1952;Florida, 2002). On the contrary, recent literature suggests that each of the two concepts seems to make the other meaningful (Chaharbaghi & Cripps, 2007;Watson, 2007). Thus, in a holistic view of collective creativity, individual creativity needs to be included and, in particular, collective creativity and individual creativity seem to exist in an 'both/and' rather than in an 'either/or' relationship (Chaharbaghi & Cripps, 2007).…”

“…Four items measured collective creativity. The items were based on the conceptualization of collective creativity, focusing on the process of collaboration between people aimed to voice creative and original ideas (Hargadon & Bechky, 2006;Chaharbaghi & Cripps, 2007). In line with previous research (e.g.…”

“…It is the outcome of a synergistic integration that utilizes some forms of learning mechanisms (Catmull, 2008;Hirst, Van Dick & Van Knippenberg, 2009). Collective creativity relies on the development of knowledge and understanding that occurs in the context of a micro social system that addresses a challenge of common concern (Chaharbaghi & Cripps, 2007). In the context of this process, some kinds of interactions between people in the micro social system are particularly important.…”

Collective creativity

“…Many related researches on collective creativity focus on the importance of collaboration in the work environment to solve complex and interdisciplinary problems. [1,2] We adopt the concept of collective creativity to solicit emerging genre of content that continuously grow as more individuals contribute to the activitiy.…”