The Relationship Between the Social Environment of Organizations and the Climate for Innovation and Creativity

Relationships were examined among the social environment of organizations, employee satisfaction (both job-related and personal), and perceptions of a creative work environment. The subject organization was a manufacturing facility in the United States which produced parts used in automobile production and operating in a dynamic market economy. Creativity was desired and verbally encouraged, but no attention was given to organization development, nor were there any intervention efforts designed to promote a creative environment. Results from environmental and climate inventories indicate that there are significant linkages between the social environment of the organization and satisfaction with the organization and personal lives, and the potential for innovation. Pride in the work, freedom, and other personal variables were also found to be related to an innovative climate.

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