Work

Creativity is a journey, not a destination: A team flow theory perspective for service workers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Teamwork, recognised for supporting employee creativity, is crucial to organisational sustainability and survival. However, the ways of unlocking teamwork for creativity remain an unrealised opportunity. By integrating team flow theory, we exemplify how flow can be activated in teams and give rise to creativity, adding to the nascent literature on teams achieving an optimal state. Using a creative problem-solving intervention, qualitative data was collected via participant observation and semi-structured interviews with front-line hotel managers. We show the creativity outcomes at the individual, team, and organisational levels resulting from team flow, with our data emphasising the longer-term impacts on individual creativity. Notably, we extend team flow theory with our model, contributing to the discussion of creativity processes and offering important insights into how the reciprocal relationship between teamwork and individual creativity can be achieved. Our findings have implications for business leaders seeking to drive high-performing, creative organisations.

Source: Journal of Business Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115448

Authors: Anastasia Kulichyova, Alisha Ali, Martin McCracken, Judith Woods, Sandra Moffett

Institutions: Queen's University Belfast, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Ulster, Ulster University, Derry-Londonderry Campus

Language: English

Topic: Flow Experience in Various Fields

Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,440