Win or lose the battle for creativity: The power and perils of intergroup competition

M. Baer, R. Leenders, G. Oldham, A. Vadera

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

169 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Integrating and refining social interdependence theory and structural adaptation
theory, we examined the effects of intergroup competition on the creativity of 70
four-person groups engaged in two idea generation tasks. We manipulated both group membership change (change, no change) and intergroup competition level (low, intermediate, high). Competition had the expected U-shaped relation with creativity in open (membership change) groups but failed to produce the hypothesized inverted U-shaped pattern in closed (no membership change) groups. In the latter, effects were positive for low to intermediate competition and flat for intermediate to high levels. Within-group collaboration mediated these effects.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)827–845
Number of pages18
JournalAcademy of Management Journal
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

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