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Give Me a Goal to be Creative: Investigating Goal Setting and Creative Performance

Author

Listed:
  • Stefanie Ringelhan

    (Technische Universität München)

  • Jutta Stumpf-Wollersheim

    (Technische Universität München)

  • Andreas Ostermaier

    (Technische Universität München)

  • Isabell M. Welpe

    (Technische Universität München
    Bavarian State Institute for Higher Education Research and Planning)

  • Matthias Spörrle

    (Privatuniversität Schloss Seeburg)

Abstract

Taking into account the dual pathway to creativity model, we conducted an experiment (N = 101) to investigate the influence of goals on creative performance aspects (cognitive persistence, creative fluency, cognitive flexibility, originality and appropriateness). Our experiment revealed that having an assigned goal versus having no goal caused anger to outweigh happiness, which led to more cognitive persistence and creative fluency. We observed no influence on cognitive flexibility and originality. An assigned goal led to less appropriate ideas than having no goal, but this effect was not mediated by emotions. Our findings suggest that goals should be applied depending on whether open-minded in-depth ideation or appropriate ideas are desired.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefanie Ringelhan & Jutta Stumpf-Wollersheim & Andreas Ostermaier & Isabell M. Welpe & Matthias Spörrle, 2016. "Give Me a Goal to be Creative: Investigating Goal Setting and Creative Performance," Schmalenbach Business Review, Springer;Schmalenbach-Gesellschaft, vol. 17(3), pages 337-359, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:schmbr:v:17:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s41464-016-0022-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s41464-016-0022-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Goal setting; Creativity; Discrete emotions; Performance management; Target agreements;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C91 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Laboratory, Individual Behavior
    • D83 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Search; Learning; Information and Knowledge; Communication; Belief; Unawareness
    • I23 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Higher Education; Research Institutions
    • M54 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Personnel Economics - - - Labor Management

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