A Multilevel Model of Emotions and Creativity in Organizations

We adopt a multilevel view of emotions and creativity in organizations. Consistent with traditional definitions of the construct, we define creativity broadly in terms of a process that leads to ideas, products, or problem solutions that are both novel and practically useful. More recently, scholars have come to understand that organizational creativity is inherently a multi-level phenomenon that can (1) manifest as a within-person, temporally varying phenomenon, (2) be influenced by employees’ individual proclivities for creative behavior, (3) involve interpersonal communication of ideas, (4) emerge as team or group creativity, or (5) reflect a creative organizational culture or climate. In this chapter, we aim to integrate these creative processes across all five levels of analysis. We especially address circumstances under which creativity can be associated with positive or negative affect, arguing that, depending on personal and situational conditions, creativity can be associated with either positive or negative emotions. We conclude with suggestions for future research.