Understanding the role of social exchange dynamics in creative processes.

Abstract

Existing research infers that it is important for creativity that individuals are able to reach out to others and exchange the intangible resources they need (ex. knowledge, help, ideas, support). However, we do not know much on the exchange relationships and forms of reciprocity involved in creative processes: to what extent and in which ways do they contribute to creativity? Our research addresses this gap, drawing on literature in the field of social exchange theory. The empirical research was carried out among industrial researchers in computer sciences whose main mission is creative in nature. Empirically, our work contributes to clarifying the role and functioning of social exchange relationships involved in creative processes. We contribute to theory building by arguing that to be creative, individuals need to develop three different patterns of social exchange relationships, underpinned by different logics of reciprocity, within which they access some of the intangible resources they need during the creative process such as freedom and suspension of judgment on scientific credibility. As play emerged as central in one form of social exchange, but not in the two others, we discuss what is “at play” in play and why individuals – throughout creative processes - navigate between playful and non-playful relational spaces.