Interactive Effects of Growth Need Strength, Work Context, and Job Complexity On Self-Reported Creative Performance

We propose that “growth need strength” is an important individual factor for employees’ creative performance. Using an interactionist perspective, we examine the relationship between growth need strength and a supportive work context on self-reported creativity across a wide range of jobs that vary in complexity. Controlling for the effects of individual factors that have been previously linked to creativity (i.e., creative personality, intrinsic motivation, and cognitive style), we find that growth need strength has both a positive main effect on creativity and an interactive effect with context. Furthermore, job complexity moderates this association. Implications for managers are discussed.