[Re]thinking outside the box: A meta‐analysis of constraints and creative performance

Abstract

The influence of constraints (i.e., barriers or limitations) on creativity has drawn attention from various fields but has largely yielded conflicting findings. Some studies suggest constraints may have a positive impact on creativity while others find a negative impact. In an effort to clarify this debate and provide direction for future efforts, this meta-analysis examined the relationship between constraints and creativity.Using a sample of 111 published and unpublished studies, a series of random-effects meta-regression models and subgroup analyses were conducted and identified a significant positive relationship between constraints and creativity. Moderator analyses confirmed the relationship differed substantially depending on the constraint type, study design, funding status, and creativity operationalization and measurement.These findings suggest that constraints may not be detrimental to creativity, despite prior assumptions. Findings further suggest that constraint type may be less influential than typically assumed. Instead, methodological artifacts provide a better explanation for the varying existing findings in how constraints benefit or hinder creativity. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.

Creatividad en el Desarrollo Empresarial desde un Análisis Teórico

“…En contrapartida, a pesar de la generación de estímulos para el fomento de la creatividad, se debe recordar la proximidad sociocultural de la población objetivo, puesto que cualquier output derivado de los procesos implantados se verá afectado positiva o negativamente por las características específicas de la fuerza de trabajo y su espacio geográfico (Damadzic et al, 2022).…”

“…Por otro lado, desde la perspectiva de Damadzic et al (2022), la existencia de barreras no representa una cohibición total de la creatividad, dado que la magnitud de esta reducción estaría enmarcada en un aspecto personal y situacional individualizado; vinculado en gran medida a los prejuicios, estereotipos, estigmas, sesgos y temores (Essien et al, 2022). Ritonummi et al (2022) reconocen la veracidad de lo expuesto, no obstante, a pesar de no significar una cohibición total de la creatividad su estudio demanda una exigencia continua para el desarrollo de actividades más acordes a las necesidades individuales, empresariales y sociales.…”

“…Asimismo, se reconoce que los resultados e impacto de las estrategias implantadas pueden variar con respecto a características específicas de la fuerza de trabajo y espacio geográfico en donde se encuentre (Damadzic et al, 2022), entre estas características se ubica a la…”

The Effects of Routinization on Radical and Incremental Creativity: The Mediating Role of Mental Workloads

“…One reason for the lack of creative performance is increased workload, and researchers are reluctant to view job complexity as a predictor of creativity [ 7 , 8 ]. Instead, very high job demands are regarded as undermining creativity: When faced with excessive workloads, employees may not have enough time and energy to anticipate, plan for, and execute changes [ 9 ]. However, interest in routinization approaches has recently increased regarding the characteristics of task design stressors that can encourage creativity rather than hinder it [ 10 , 11 , 12 ].…”

Integrated Constraints in Creativity: Foundations for a Unifying Model

“…While several taxonomies have been proposed that distinguish among input, process, and output constraints (Acar et al, 2019; Onarheim, 2012; Rosso, 2014); domain, cognitive, variability, and talent constraints (Stokes, 2006); and fundamental, thematic, information, and resource constraints (Medeiros et al, 2014), these proposed clusters are only useful for organizing constraints thematically. As recent meta-regression analyses reveal, the existing taxonomies do not predict differential patterns of effects (Damadzic et al).…”