Towards creativity in Indian software companies: development of an instrument to select and evaluate creative practices

Abstract

Creativity research has a long history in determining the use of potential capabilities of employees by way of developing intellectual capabilities, providing positive organisational environment, involving them in challenging tasks and diversity in work culture and human resource within the companies. This paper discusses the role of employee creativity in Indian software companies. It identifies the determinants which are necessary to enhance the creative practices at individual and organisational level. Although, the previous studies have identified the need of innovation in products and processes to cater the need of global competition in information communication technologically (ICT) oriented companies. This paper addresses the deficit of study in the field of human resource management (HRM) and creativity and widens the scope of creativity in software companies by determining the factors which enhance employee's creativity through creative climate and creative behaviour. The results also show that there exist several factors which influence creativity at individual and organisational level. This research contributes to existing study and further develops an instrument based on employee creative behaviour and organisation creative climate. This instrument (survey tool) is accurate, reliable and valid mechanism to measure creativity in ICT companies.