Expounding the Relationship Between Playfulness and Creativity in Work Teams: A Conceptual Model
Author: Brent D. Rosso
Issue: 2016, Vol. 2
Abstract
The dynamics and consequences of human play have long been of interest to philosophers, biologists, and psychologists, who suggest that play is central to the ways humans develop and make sense of the world. Early social theorists intertwined playfulness with creativity, and empirical research has provided compelling evidence for this relationship. However, while many researchers have explored the relationship between playfulness and creativity, most studies have examined individual-level rather than team-level processes, and few organizational scholars have explored the consequences of playfulness for creativity in the workplace. Furthermore, the field lacks coherence on the underlying social and psychological processes through which playfulness promotes team creativity. This study addresses these gaps in the literature by integrating a diverse array of scholarship to develop a conceptual model of the social psychological mechanisms through which playfulness enhances creativity in work teams. Specifically, I propose that playfulness in teams promotes positive affect, team psychological safety, and intrinsic motivation, which in turn promote creative team processes and outcomes. Theoretical rationale for these dynamics is provided, and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Keywords: creativity, playfulness, groups and teams.
To download the article, please click on the PDF file or read on this page below:
Author: Brent D. Rosso
Issue: 2016, Vol. 2
Abstract
The dynamics and consequences of human play have long been of interest to philosophers, biologists, and psychologists, who suggest that play is central to the ways humans develop and make sense of the world. Early social theorists intertwined playfulness with creativity, and empirical research has provided compelling evidence for this relationship. However, while many researchers have explored the relationship between playfulness and creativity, most studies have examined individual-level rather than team-level processes, and few organizational scholars have explored the consequences of playfulness for creativity in the workplace. Furthermore, the field lacks coherence on the underlying social and psychological processes through which playfulness promotes team creativity. This study addresses these gaps in the literature by integrating a diverse array of scholarship to develop a conceptual model of the social psychological mechanisms through which playfulness enhances creativity in work teams. Specifically, I propose that playfulness in teams promotes positive affect, team psychological safety, and intrinsic motivation, which in turn promote creative team processes and outcomes. Theoretical rationale for these dynamics is provided, and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Keywords: creativity, playfulness, groups and teams.
To download the article, please click on the PDF file or read on this page below:
| Expounding the Relationship Between Playfulness and Creativity in Work Teams: A Conceptual Model by Brent D. Rosso |
