From problem-solving demands to employee creativity: Bidirectional support

Abstract

Previous results concerning the link between problem-solving demands and employee creativity have been mixed. In this study we clarified this relationship by investigating individual differences in employees' proactive personality and professional ethics. Participants were 343 supervisor–employee dyads in China. We examined the hypotheses using conditional process analysis. Consistent with our hypotheses, problem-solving demands were positively related to employee creativity, and proactive personality played a moderating role in this relationship, which was more positive when the employee had a more proactive personality. The interaction term of proactive personality and ethical professional standards improved the relationship between problem-solving demands and creativity, which was strongest when employees had a personality that was highly proactive and their professional standards were highly ethical. Theoretical and practical significance of the findings are discussed.