Relational Models in Organizations: Communal Sharing Schemas and Creativity

Abstract

Using qualitative and quantitative methods, we draw on Relational Models Theory to propose that communal sharing supervisor-employee relationships will influence employee creativity processes and outcomes. Study 1 was a field interview study that established through real accounts that people construe of their relationships with their supervisors in a way consistent with Relational Models Theory. Study 2 was a survey study that used dyad-data from employees and their supervisors. Results show that supervisor-employee relationships that were mentally framed as communal sharing (but not equality matching, authority ranking, or market pricing), were positively associated with employee creative process engagement, which in turn had a positive influence on employee creativity. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our findings.