Examining the relationship between creativity and innovation: A meta-analysis of organizational, cultural, and environmental factors

Hessamoddin Sarooghi, Dirk Libaers () and Andrew Burkemper

Journal of Business Venturing, 2015, vol. 30, issue 5, 714-731

Abstract: It is generally believed that creativity enhances innovative activities. However, empirical research regarding the impact of creativity on innovation, although positive, has produced a wide range of results. In this study, we conduct a meta-analysis of 52 empirical samples comprising 10,538 observations to test the nature of this relationship, and in particular how organizational, environmental, and cultural factors moderate the creativity-innovation link. We find a strong positive relationship between creativity and innovation, especially at the individual level. In addition, we find intriguing moderating effects in which the relationship between creativity and innovation is stronger for large firms, process innovations, and low-tech industries relative to small firms, product innovations, and high-tech industries. Further, we find that moderate levels of uncertainty avoidance maximize the correlation between creativity and innovation. We conclude by discussing theoretical and managerial implications and offering suggestions for future research in the entrepreneurship and innovation literature.

Keywords: Creativity; Innovation; Contextual factors; Meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D L26 O31 O32 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (48)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbvent:v:30:y:2015:i:5:p:714-731

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusvent.2014.12.003

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