The Sources of Innovation and Creativity

Introduction The following pages represent a comprehensive summary of current research and theory on the sources of innovation and creativity, both in individuals and organizations. Based on the recurring concepts in the existing literature, the paper concludes with some recommendations for how education systems can best foster these attributes in students. Both research and recommendations have been conducted with a view to informing US workforce development efforts within the context of the new global economy. The following key questions are discussed: o What do we know about the sources of creativity and innovation in individuals? o What do we know about curricula and pedagogical techniques that have proven effective in promoting innovation and creativity through formal and informal education? o What do we know about techniques that have been proven to stimulate creativity and innovation in the work place? o What is it about the nature of our culture, our society and our economy that makes our country more creative and innovative than others? o What contributes to the development of successful entrepreneurs? o What actions should the US education system take to promote innovation and creativity among students? o What are some suggestions for further research? 3 What Are the Sources of Creativity and Innovation in Individuals? A variety of theorists, using case studies, experiments and a variety of research methods, have attempted to better understand the sources of creativity and innovation in individuals. While these efforts have contributed significantly to broadening our comprehension of the subject, there is nonetheless disagreement between theorists and many hypotheses that remain to be fully substantiated. The challenge lies partially in the nature and definition of creativity itself. Broad, complex and multi-faceted, creativity can take many forms and can be found within a variety of contexts. It is embodied by individuals with a broad range of personal characteristics and backgrounds. It appears that the only rule is that there are no hard and fast rules concerning the sources of creativity. As such, the following paragraphs synthesize the current viewpoints, with the caveat that our understanding of the topic is still a work in progress. Cognitive psychology provides the most prolific and developed perspective on the sources of individual creativity. In 1950, J.P. Guilford, then President of the American Psychological Association, stated in his presidential address that the topic of creativity deserved greater attention. Following this seminal call to action, psychological research on creativity …