Dual tuning in creative processes: Joint contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations

Yaping Gong, Junfeng Wu, Lynda Jiwen Song, Zhen Zhang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

60 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations often coexist and can serve important functions. We develop and test a model in which intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations interact positively to influence personal creativity goal. Personal creativity goal, in turn, has a positive relationship with incremental creativity and an inverted U-shaped relationship with radical creativity. In a pilot study, we validated the personal creativity goal measure using 180 (Sample 1) and 69 (Sample 2) employees from a consulting firm. In the primary study, we tested the overall model using a sample of 657 research and development employees and their direct supervisors from an automobile firm. The results support the hypothesized model and yield several new insights. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations synergize with each other to strengthen personal creativity goal. Personal creativity goal in turn benefits incremental and radical creativity, but only up to a certain point for the latter. In addition to its linear indirect relationship with incremental creativity, intrinsic motivational orientation has an inverted U-shaped indirect relationship with radical creativity via personal creativity goal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)829-844
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Applied Psychology
Volume102
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2017

Keywords

  • Creativity
  • Extrinsic motivational orientation
  • Intrinsic motivational orientation
  • Motivational synergy
  • Personal creativity goal

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Dual tuning in creative processes: Joint contributions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivational orientations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this