Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation and Employee Creativity: An Empirical Test

Abstract

We explore how and when intrinsic and extrinsic motivation are related to creative process engagement and, in turn, lead to creativity level and frequency at work. Analyses of data collected from 163 employees and their supervisors showed that both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation have indirect effects on creativity level and frequency via creative process engagement; only intrinsic motivation had a direct effect on creativity level, whereas both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation had a direct effect on creativity frequency. Importantly, the effect of extrinsic motivation on creative process engagement was moderated by the level of creative problem solving expected in one’s job, such that employees who were not required to engage in much creativity actually engaged in greater levels of creative process behaviors, which increased both creativity level and frequency. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.