The nature and development of creativity

Abstract

Lately there has been renewed interest in the topic of creativity as scientists begin to readdress the question of where new and appropriate ideas come from (see Sternberg 1988 for a review.) Simultaneously technologically driven global pressures such as the increased pace of change and the global marketplace have forced organisations to consider ways in which they can become more responsive and creative enough to meet the increased competition from the Pacific Rim and elsewhere. This has led to an interest in ways of drawing out creativity in the workforce. To do this one needs some idea of what conditions favour creativity.