Organizational Creativity in Japanese National Research Institutions

Abstract

The effects of environmental or individual internal factors on organizational creativity are well documented, but the mediating mechanisms of intrinsic motivation that explain the linkages between such effects remain unclear. Questionnaires completed by scientists at Japanese national research institutions were statistically analyzed by using structural equation modeling for teams ( n = 65) and individuals ( n = 420), and the results showed that the two variables associated with intrinsic motivation mediated the work environment and creative performance at both the individual and team levels. In revealing the similarities and differences between the team and individual measurements, the results showed that the psychological aspects of intrinsic motivation (job satisfaction), supervision, and communication are relatively significant for teams and that the behavioral aspects of intrinsic motivation (research activity), communication, and involvement are key for individuals. Furthermore, both levels of analysis showed that “Western-style” meetings are detractors for intrinsic motivation. The implications for organizational creativity theory and research management are ultimately discussed.