Ministry of high education and scientific research

University of Mustapha Benboulaid, Batna 2, Algeria

Faculty of Mathematic and Computer Science
Computer Science Department

Speciality: Digital Transformation and Innovation

Module: Innovation Management 1st year Master
Teacher: Karima Saidi

Chapter 3: Creativity
Table of Contents

1. Introduction..............................................................................................................................................................2

1.1. Definition of creativity...............................................................................................................................2

1.2. Importance of creativity in innovation management..................................................................2

2. Theoretical knowledge on creativity.............................................................................................................3

2.1. Overview of different theories on creativity....................................................................................3

2.2. Understanding the factors that influence creativity.....................................................................3

3. Skills needed for fostering creativity.............................................................................................................4

3.1. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills....................................................................................4

3.2. Open-mindedness and willingness to take risks............................................................................4

3.3. Collaboration and effective communication....................................................................................5

4. How to enhance the creativity..........................................................................................................................5

5. Integrating creativity into an innovation management course.........................................................5

5.1. Incorporating creative thinking exercises and activities...........................................................5

5.2. Encouraging experimentation and exploration..............................................................................6

5.3. Providing opportunities for real-world application of creative ideas..................................6

6. Conclusion................................................................................................................................................................. 7
2 Chapter3: Creativity

1. Introduction

1.1. Definition of creativity

Creativity involves combining different knowledge elements to create new knowledge,

but the application of this new knowledge requires skill. Defining creativity is
challenging because skill and creativity are often conflated. Complexity theory and
ontological emergence offer a new perspective on creativity, focusing on adjusting the
parameters of a complex adaptive system to increase the probability of creative
outcomes. The Dimensions of Creativity (Person, Process, Product, and Press) provide a
comprehensive understanding of creativity.

1.2. Importance of creativity in innovation management

In today's rapidly changing world, the importance of creativity in innovation management

cannot be overstated. The ability to generate original ideas and foster a creative mindset
is crucial for individuals and organizations to navigate uncertainty and drive positive
change.
Creativity and innovation management are closely intertwined in the workplace, with
creativity involving original thought and knowledge generation, and innovation focusing
on turning creative ideas into viable solutions. Innovation management techniques play a
vital role in fostering creativity by providing tools for innovation and problem-solving. In
education, creativity is essential for developing students' competence for sustainability
and should be nurtured and fostered through supportive policies and practices. Creativity
requires appropriateness alongside originality, and successful implementation of creative
ideas is referred to as innovation. Understanding the dimensions of creativity and
utilizing tools for innovation management can help foster a culture of creativity that
drives industry evolution.

The creativity is not just about generating ideas—it is about transforming those ideas into
tangible solutions. This is where innovation management comes into play. By employing
tools designed to foster creativity and encourage innovative thinking, we can solve
problems that have been put off for ages.
The relationship between creativity and innovation is symbiotic. Creativity unleashes
potential by generating original thoughts and ideas, while innovation turns these ideas
into viable solutions. It is through this interplay that disruption occurs—allowing us to
adapt to rapid changes in technology, customer needs, and globalization.
By honing creative potential within organizational development processes through
implementation processes. Moreover, the ability to think creatively enables individuals to
take on leadership roles with ease—a valuable skill that many entrepreneurs possess.

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

3 Chapter3: Creativity
2. Theoretical knowledge on creativity

2.1. Overview of different theories on creativity

Creativity and innovation are important for driving industry evolution and growth. The
Innovation Management course aims to develop students' skills in leading and
coordinating creativity and innovation. It introduces contrasting theories and practices,
engages students in collaborative projects and live briefs, and culminates in a final
project. The chapter draws on various academic disciplines and frameworks to deepen
understanding of fostering innovation in complex contexts.
Research on creativity and innovation highlights their significance in the knowledge
society. Different chapters in the report explore current definitions of creativity and
innovation from a multidisciplinary perspective. They also examine the importance of
creativity and innovation in education and how information and communication
technologies can enhance creative learning and teaching. Factors enabling creative
learning and teaching are also explored, considering how policies and practices can
support or hinder them.
Creativity is not solely dependent on individual capabilities but also on interactions
between individuals and organizations. Managing paradoxical configurations is crucial
for nurturing creativity within organizations. Knowledge management plays a central role
in innovation, contributing to an organization's ability to adapt in complex environments.
Education is instrumental in developing human innovation skills and plays a vital role in
fostering creative learning and innovative teaching practices.
Understanding different theoretical perspectives on creativity provides valuable insights
into integrating creativity for innovation and industry evolution. By delving into various
disciplines and frameworks, individuals can foster creative mindsets, develop sustainable
innovation practices, and lead diverse teams towards achieving collective goals in
complex organizational contexts.

2.2. Understanding the factors that influence creativity

Understanding the factors that influence creativity is crucial for fostering innovation and
driving industry evolution. Creativity plays a central role in the development of
innovative ideas and solutions, which ultimately contribute to organizational success and
economic growth.
At the individual level, creativity is influenced by personal qualities, such as sensitivity
towards the world, independent thinking, analytical and synthetic skills, flexibility,
optimism, and a willingness to take risks. These traits enable individuals to question
existing norms, think fluently and independently, and transform ideas into reality.
Additionally, creativity is shaped by interactions between individuals and their
organizations. The organizational culture plays a pivotal role in supporting employees'

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

4 Chapter3: Creativity
passions while achieving financial goals and encouraging personal initiative while
maintaining a shared vision.
Furthermore, creativity requires effective knowledge management within organizations.
The application of knowledge-based frameworks highlights the importance of building an
organization's dynamic capabilities to adapt in complex environments. Creative
capabilities involve resources, routines, processes, and organizational factors that
facilitate the generation and capture of valuable ideas. The ability to renew creative
routines is particularly critical for organizations' performance in industries such as video
games. Moreover, specific industries may have unique dynamics between creativity,
technology, and innovation. For example, creative industries heavily rely on the value of
ideas as essential raw materials.
Moreover, there are 'spillover' benefits from creative industries that positively impact
non-creative firms by fostering innovation activity and increasing their likelihood of
successful innovation. However, micro-businesses within the creative industries often
lack resources or capabilities to innovate effectively or may worry about intellectual
property infringement.
3. Skills needed for fostering creativity

3.1. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills is essential for fostering

creativity in the context of innovation and industry evolution.
The chapter focuses on understanding different creative problem-solving strategies,
techniques, and tools, as well as working effectively within teams to produce innovative
outcomes. It also addresses overcoming barriers to creativity and innovation, teaching
students how to foster a creative climate within organizations.
Fostering creativity among college students involves identifying influential factors that
impact their creative development. Factors such as social education environment, social
cultural environment, oppressive environmental behavior, respect for intellectual
property, and integration of creative education have been found to be influential.
Creativity and innovation can have parallel effects, raising competition standards but also
causing stress and periods of stagnation. However, by developing critical thinking and
problem-solving skills through education, learners can be prepared for a rapidly changing
world where creative problem-solving skills are essential for success.

3.2. Open-mindedness and willingness to take risks

Open-mindedness and a willingness to take risks are crucial for fostering creativity in
innovation and industry evolution.

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

5 Chapter3: Creativity
3.3. Collaboration and effective communication

Collaboration and effective communication are key for fostering creativity in innovation
and industry evolution. Creativity is critical for success in complex business
environments, but maintaining it can be difficult due to past success inhibiting innovative
thinking. Organizations need to create a climate that embraces uncertainty and allows
individuals to turn creativity into innovation. In education, fostering creativity is
important as traditional teaching practices do not stimulate it effectively.

4. How to enhance the creativity

There are three elements are that make people creative: The first is expertise, the second
motivation and the third creative thinking skills.
1. The first one, expertise, the technical, procedural and intellectual knowledge.
There are different manners to enhance expertise. Let's imagine a team selection,
for instance, we could simply try to select those people with the right amount of
expertise in our team. Alternatively, if we already have a team of people and we
want to enhance their expertise, we could also send them away for training
sessions.
2. The second element, motivation and especially intrinsic motivation. Doing
things because you love doing them. Let's take the same example of the team
selection, we could then try to select those people that are most intrinsically
motivated if we know how to find them. If we succeed in the selection process,
we have a team of very intrinsically motivated individuals that hopefully will
become creative. Otherwise, we could also try to persuade them of the importance
of the task or of the fact that the task is really cool to do.
3. The third element, creative thinking skills. This element was all about how
flexibly and imaginatively people approach problems. It differs from the previous
elements because this is one we can actually change. And we can even change it
quickly and with real results. Therefore, if we think about tools to enhance the
creativity of individuals, creative thinking is the element that has the most
creative tools focused on.
5. Integrating creativity into an innovation management course

5.1. Incorporating creative thinking exercises and activities

Incorporating creative thinking exercises and activities in an innovation management

course is crucial for integrating creativity into the curriculum. Creative leadership plays a
significant role in promoting innovative outcomes, and students can learn problem-

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

6 Chapter3: Creativity
solving strategies and practical skills to enhance creativity and innovation. The course
also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and overcoming barriers to creativity.
Creativity and innovation management go hand in hand, with creativity generating ideas
and innovation turning them into viable solutions. Research suggests that incorporating
creativity into the curriculum has positive effects on student outcomes. To foster
creativity successfully, a supportive classroom environment that encourages risk-taking is
essential. By providing students with practical skills, knowledge of problem-solving
strategies, and the ability to work effectively within teams, this course prepares them to
tackle complex problems and deliver innovative solutions. Fostering creativity in
education equips students to lead the way forward in a rapidly changing world.

5.2. Encouraging experimentation and exploration

Integrating creativity into an innovation management course is crucial for fostering

innovation and developing problem-solving abilities. The connection between
entrepreneurship and creativity highlights the importance of incorporating creativity into
the curriculum. Programs like the Creativity and Design Thinking Program and the
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program help students enhance their creative skills and
apply them to drive innovation in organizations.
Schools should incorporate creativity into the curriculum to provide a holistic education
that addresses intellectual, emotional, and social needs.
To embrace creativity in education, there needs to be a change in pedagogy towards a
more permissive environment that values all individuals' creative potential. By cherishing
students' ideas, encouraging risk-taking, and promoting ownership of learning, education
can effectively foster creativity.
Creativity and innovation are interconnected, with innovation relying on creative ideas
for progress. Developing creativity is a skill that requires practice and dedication, and
research has shown that everyone is capable of developing their creativity.
5.3. Providing opportunities for real-world application of creative ideas

Integrating creativity into an innovation management course is crucial for fostering

innovation and driving business growth. A theoretical framework by Jihyun Lee
highlights the need for a multilateral approach to integrating creativity, focusing on
design, domain knowledge, interdisciplinary knowledge, and creative leadership. Policies
for creativity and innovation in education should align with other policies and be
accompanied by supportive practices. Education practices often neglect creativity
development, but there is a need to teach cognitive strategies that foster creative thinking
skills. The traditional school structure also needs reorganization to create an environment
where creativity can flourish. Creativity plays a crucial role in the process of innovation
and is highly valued in all aspects of human endeavors. It is a skill that can be developed
through practice, and everyone has the potential to become more creative. By fostering

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

7 Chapter3: Creativity
creativity from an early age and teaching cognitive strategies, we can create an
environment that encourages risk-taking, problem-solving, and innovative ideas. It is
important to recognize that creativity and innovation are necessities in our ever-changing
world, and ongoing research is needed to understand their link and potential
consequences.

6. Conclusion

Creativity is the driving force behind innovation, and without it, innovation becomes just
another idea without any value. As stated in the literature, creativity is the generation of
new and useful ideas or the combination of existing ideas into new and useful concepts to
satisfy a need. It is a mental phenomenon that can be developed and taught, contrary to
the common belief that it is an inborn trait.
In the context of organizations, creativity plays a crucial role in knowledge creation and
the success of businesses. Studies have shown that employees' creative potential at work
is related to their level of practiced creativity, which in turn is related to their
entrepreneurial alertness. The support for creativity from supervisors and co-workers also
moderates these relationships, strengthening the significant connections between creative
potential and practiced creativity. Furthermore, integrating creativity in education is
essential for fostering innovative thinking skills among students. Traditional educational
systems often overlook the development of creative thinking skills, focusing more on rote
learning and memorization. However, creativity thrives when it is based on existing
knowledge and practiced cognitive strategies proven to enhance creative thinking skills.
It is crucial to recognize that integrating creativity into innovation management courses
goes beyond theoretical understanding; it requires practical application as well. Students
should be encouraged to apply their creative thinking skills through individual projects
and collaborative activities. By doing so, they can develop a deep appreciation for the
importance of creativity for organizations while enhancing their own creative abilities.

References

 [1] Innovation, Creativity and Leadership Masters MSc | Bayes Business School | Bayes Business School

 [2] Creativity - Wikipedia

 [3] (PDF) Teaching Innovation and Creativity: Turning Theory into Practice

 [4] Advancing the case for creativity through graduate business education - ScienceDirect

 [5] It’s time to sober up: The direct costs, side effects and long-term consequences of creativity and innovation -
ScienceDirect

 [6] Creativity and innovation management: How to inspire original ideas | Stanford Online

 [7] Creative industries sector vision: a joint plan to drive growth, build talent and develop skills - GOV.UK

2023_2024 Saidi Karima

8 Chapter3: Creativity
 [8] (PDF) Creativity and Innovation: A Complex Adaptive Systems Theory | Philip A Lambert - Academia.edu

 [9] Ten Reasons Why We Should Incorporate Creativity and Innovation in Our Educational Systems

 [10] Paradox, Articulation, and Issues in the Transition from Creativity to Innovation | Cairn.info

 [11] (PDF) Innovation and Creativity in Education and Training in the EU Member States: Fostering Creative
Learning and Supporting Innovative Teaching Literature review on Innovation and Creativity in E&T in the
EU Member States (ICEAC)

2023_2024 Saidi Karima