Title: Creativity in short-term self-directed groups: an analysis using a complexity-based framework

Authors: Petro K. Poutanen; Pirjo Ståhle

Addresses: Media and Communication Studies, Department of Social Research, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 54, FI-00014, Finland ' Center for Knowledge and Innovation Research, CKIR, School of Business, Aalto University, P.O. Box 21210, FI-00076, Finland; Finland Futures Research Centre, FFRC, Turku School of Economics, University of Turku, FI-20014, Finland

Abstract: This paper uses a complexity-based framework to study creativity in short-term self-directed groups. The study is based on observations and interviews collected from three eight-day working groups addressing real-life societal challenges. Qualitative content analysis of the data was conducted using Atlas.ti. The results reveal group differences in creative capacity as well as difficulties in achieving a working mode that enables the production of creative output within a short space of time. Based on these results we identified seven factors that support creativity in these short-term groups. The results provide important clues for organising and facilitating creativity and innovation in self-directed work groups, self-managed teams and other short-term and ad hoc groups.

Keywords: group creativity; team innovation; collaborative creativity; collective creativity; complexity theory; complexity frameworks; self-renewal; self-directed groups; self-managed teams; ad hoc groups; temporary groups; self-organising teams; short-term groups.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCLM.2014.064455

International Journal of Complexity in Leadership and Management, 2014 Vol.2 No.4, pp.259 - 277

Published online: 13 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article