- Case Study of your work organisation (Approximately 2000 words)
A case study of creativity and innovation in action in which your findings can be presented
within a business report. The study will enable you to critically evaluate and synthesise your
learning of how creativity and innovation might most effectively be promoted within your
chosen institution. The case study will focus mainly on the social and organisational context of
your work environment (Henry and others). This is where you will need to explore how your
organisation supports or inhibits creativity and innovation. So what?
This requires that you explore the climate for creativity (e.g. Amabile, Ekvall, Isaksen) by
undertaking an in-depth analysis of factors contributing to these models. Which might be the
factors where your work environment supports creativity and innovation – if any? Which
might be the factors that inhibit creativity and innovation? Climate surveys are based on
psychometrically validated measures and the publishers charge for their use. You are not
expected to carry out a diagnostic survey of the climate although if you would like to do this
please discuss this with me personally. You are strongly discouraged from designing and
implementing a survey yourself or using only some of the questions as this results in a loss of
validity and reliability of the measurement and is, therefore, meaningless. A quantitative survey is
all or nothing! However, this does not prevent you from discussing this with colleagues adopting
a more qualitative approach. So what would you do differently?
An excellent case study is one where an in-depth analysis can be demonstrated. You might conclude that the work environment is highly supportive or your might conclude that it is not supportive at all. This must be an authentic account – be honest. You can achieve an excellent grade if your organisation is highly creative or not at all creative. You are assessed on the in-
depth application of theory, analyses, conclusions and recommendations. You will need to extend this to consider the implications from the perspectives of creative leadership and human resource management and development. Extending your studies from Leading and Managing People, how might creative and innovative behaviours be supported by leadership and HRM?
Identify, reflect upon and evidence key areas for development and stipulate areas of excellence in creative management and development.
Draw on major theoretical perspectives and experiential learning to reflect upon and critically evaluate the implications for the workplace.
Highlight perceived stimulants and obstacles to creativity and innovation in the work organisation
Analyse critical incidents or future challenges in relation to a range of decision-making and creativity theories.
Critically reflect upon the impact of leader creativity and behaviours to achieve organisational goals.
Critically evaluate existing practices (your own and others) exploring the implications for creative leadership and organisational development and outline innovative recommendations for improvement.
Evidence your analysis with practical examples. Demonstrate integration between applied theory, workplace scenarios and self-awareness of individual contribution to promoting productive working relationships. Authentic evidence through examples is useful in demonstrating your learning journey and your personal and professional development.
Critically review the role of creativity in organisational development and demonstrate a capacity to balance innovation with other essential requirements.
