A study on the cross level transformation from individual creativity to organizational creativity

Abstract

We examined how entrepreneurs’ individual creativity is transformed into organizational creativity. Employees’ individual creativity is considered as the source and foundation of organizational creativity. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs have multiple identities in organizations, including employees, founders, and leaders. However, the effect of entrepreneurs’ creativity on organizational creativity remains unclear. We assumed that entrepreneurs’ individual creativity can be considered as the starting point for organizational creativity in creative enterprises. In addition, we proposed that entrepreneurs’ transformational and transactional leadership mediate the relationship between individual creativity and organizational creativity. 202 responses from creative entrepreneurs were used to evaluate and validate our proposed hypotheses. This study constructed a cross-level framework for creativity from the entrepreneurs’ perspective. More importantly, we provided a basic theoretical explanation about how creative entrepreneurs initiate a business utilizing their creativity, hence making an important contribution to the literature. The framework also provides practical guidance to entrepreneurs.