Article: Digital strategies for fostering workplace creativity Journal: International Journal of Product Development (IJPD) 2025 Vol.29 No.2 pp.216 - 246 Abstract: This study explores how digital tools enhance creativity in large organisations, addressing a growing need to understand creative work in increasingly digital and hybrid environments. Drawing on qualitative interviews with employees in creativity-related roles, the research examines how creativity support systems - such as online whiteboards, communication platforms and idea management tools - shape the creative process across individual, group and organisational levels. The findings highlight that digital tools are especially effective during the preparation and idea generation phases, fostering flexible, collaborative and idea-rich environments. However, challenges including user resistance, digital skill gaps and workflow integration issues persist. By mapping digital tool usage to distinct phases of the creative process, this study offers practical and theoretical insights for organisations aiming to implement or refine digital strategies to support creativity. The results contribute to the literature by extending creativity support system research into real-world corporate settings. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Digital strategies for fostering workplace creativity

Authors: Stefanie Hain; Theresa Wöllner; Peter M. Bican

Addresses: Chair of Technology Management, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Fürth, Bavaria, Erlangen and Nuremberg, Germany ' Institute of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Science, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 19, Stuttgart, Germany ' Working Group International Management and Governance, Faculty of Business Studies and Economics, University of Bremen, Enrique-Schmidt-Straße 1, Bremen, Germany

Abstract: This study explores how digital tools enhance creativity in large organisations, addressing a growing need to understand creative work in increasingly digital and hybrid environments. Drawing on qualitative interviews with employees in creativity-related roles, the research examines how creativity support systems - such as online whiteboards, communication platforms and idea management tools - shape the creative process across individual, group and organisational levels. The findings highlight that digital tools are especially effective during the preparation and idea generation phases, fostering flexible, collaborative and idea-rich environments. However, challenges including user resistance, digital skill gaps and workflow integration issues persist. By mapping digital tool usage to distinct phases of the creative process, this study offers practical and theoretical insights for organisations aiming to implement or refine digital strategies to support creativity. The results contribute to the literature by extending creativity support system research into real-world corporate settings.

Keywords: creativity; creativity support systems; workplace creativity; digital work; digitalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2025.148401

International Journal of Product Development, 2025 Vol.29 No.2, pp.216 - 246

Received: 07 Dec 2024
Accepted: 05 May 2025
Published online: 03 Sep 2025 *

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Title: Digital strategies for fostering workplace creativity

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