Title: The organisation as an obstacle to creativity

Authors: Dieter Gernert

Addresses: Technische Universitat Munchen, Arcisstr. 21, D-80333 Munchen, Germany

Abstract: The usual internal structure of organisations is not favourable to creativity. This is mainly due to the fundamental antagonism between two contrasting types of tasks: creation of ideas vs. implementation of ideas. After short remarks on the individual conditions for creativity, two historic examples are sketched, where it was tried – with some success – to secure a moderate openness for new ideas within restrictive societies. In the main part, modern organisational structures are analysed, which are destined to safeguard some freedom for the acceptance of creative ideas and for putting them into practice; some practical advice are derived.

Keywords: organisations; creativity techniques; creativity teams; obstacles to creativity; killer phrases; innovation; management style; invisible teams; systemic studies; organisational structure; ideas creation; creative ideas.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASS.2011.042208

International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies, 2011 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.126 - 135

Received: 01 May 2010
Accepted: 11 Sep 2010

Published online: 29 Apr 2015 *

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