Discussion 2: Shared Practice: Case Study: IDEO and Creativity
Discussion 2: Shared Practice: Case Study: IDEO and Creativity
Please use these headings in your discussion posts.
Template Week 6 Discussion Forum 2
Initial Post Template
Factors That Contribute to a Creative Climate Specific to Both Individuals and Teams
Factors That Supported Creativity of Employees and Teams
Initiative That Could Strengthen Climate of Creativity
APA References
While you may never have heard of the design firm IDEO, you have likely heard of and even used products that it envisioned, including some of the very first computer mice. How does a company consistently generate groundbreaking ideas over the long term? One of the first steps, of course, is to recruit the best and most creative employees. Once those employees have joined the organization, however, there is still more that a company must do to support creativity and create a fertile ground for innovation. In this weekâ€
s Discussion, you will be sharing experiences you have had in participating in creative work environments.
For this weekâ€
s Shared Practice, read the following case study, Creative climate: Work environment allows IDEO to deliver promise of innovation. Examine how IDEO combines the elements of leadership, work environment, and processes in ways that harness the creativity of its employees and project teams. Then, think of an organization where you have worked, currently work, or one with which you are familiar. Consider how the organization compares with IDEO in supporting a creative climate.
By Day 5
Post a response that includes the following, using an organization for which you work, have worked, or with which you are familiar:
- Describe the leadership, environment, and process factors specific to both individuals as well as teams that contribute to a creative climate.
- Evaluate how the leadership, work environment, and organization processes supported the creativity of employees and teams.
- Based on your observations and/or experience with the organization, describe an initiative that could be implemented that would strengthen the climate for creativity among participants in the initiative. Hint: You can base the initiative on the IDEO case study (i.e., redesigning employee work spaces to enhance collaboration) or you can craft one of your own.
- Explain how the initiative you have selected for the organization might build on its strengths and/or address its weaknesses in supporting individuals and teams in a climate for creativity.
Required Readings
Document: Week 6 Weekly Briefing (PDF)
The Week 6 Weekly Briefing provides an essential introduction to the content and concepts that you will be studying during the week. After viewing the Weekly Introduction, the Week 6 Weekly Briefing should be your initial reading this week.
Derven, M. (2016). Diversity & Inclusion ARE ESSENTIAL TO A global virtual teamâ€
s SUCCESS: Purpose, people, and process are the three factors that make teams work. TD Magazine, (7), 54.
The article focuses on role of and for the success of global virtual teams. Topics discussed include need for employees to build local stakeholder commitment and improve capabilities; benefits such as understanding cultural norms at the local level and for better customer retention; and its role as a purposeful practice of encouraging different viewpoints.
Hoever, I., van Knippenberg, D., van Ginkel, W., & Barkema, H. (2012). Fostering team creativity: Perspective taking as key to unlocking diversity’s potential. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 97(5), 982–996.
This article presents a theoretical model about the effect of a teamâ€
s diversity on its creativity. Perspective taking is identified as a facet of diversity that enhances creativity by fostering information elaboration.
Kim, Y. S., Kim, M. S., & Wilde, D. (2008). Toward the management of design creativity: Personal creativity modes, design activity, and team interaction. Design Management Journal, 3(2), 45–52.
This article presents various personal creativity modes at work in design teams. Cultural diversity and other differences are also explored as having influence on the outcome of design teams.
Ekvall, G. (1996). Organizational climate for creativity and innovation. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 5(1) 105–123.
This article describes an instrument for measuring organizational structure and climate regarding their influence on creativity and innovation.
Organizational climate for creativity and innovation by Ekvall, G. in the European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology. 5/1. Copyright 1996 by Psychology Press. Reprinted by permission of Taylor & Francis Informa UK, LTD–Journals via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Puccio, G. J., Mance, M., & Murdock, M. C. (2011) Creative climate: Work environment allows IDEO to deliver promise of innovation. In Puccio, Mance & Murdock, Creative leadership: Skills that drive change (pp. 314–320). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
This case study focuses on IDEO, a multi-national firm renowned for its innovation efforts and its support of its employeesâ€
creativity. As you read this case, consider Teresa Amabileâ€
s management “don’ts” and Morejonâ€
s analysis of creative climates. Does IDEO align with Amabile and Morejonâ€
s vision, or has it forged its own path to creating a creative workplace? How would you create your own creative organization?
Creative Leadership: Skills that drive change, Second Edition by Puccio, G. J., Mance, M., and Murdock, M.C. Copyright 2011 by Sage. Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc. Books via the Copyright Clearance Center.
Amabile, T. M. (1998). How to kill creativity. Harvard Business Review, 76(5), 15–24.
Teresa Amabile, of Harvard Universityâ€
s Business School, is one of the most respected scholars on creativity and innovation. In this classic article, she discusses some of the most common management practices that stifle employeeâ€
s creativity. By learning what not to do as a manager, you can begin to generate your own ideas to help turn your organization into a creative powerhouse.
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