Collective creativity: wisdom or oxymoron?

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate ways in which collective creativity and individual creativity exist in an “and/both” rather than in an “either/or” relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses and interrelates a number of dualities using “metalectics”, the principal task of which is to balance seemingly conflicting opposites by revealing them and locating them on their strengths.

Findings

Collective creativity, as a bridging metaphor, renders itself as an oxymoron, both literally and as an outcome: where individual and collective creativity are dichotomised, diversity is treated as a constraint, and collaboration is confused with coordination.

Research limitations/implications

An essential of creativity is deviancy, and that this has to be valued to bring about change.

Practical implications

Heterogeneous communities of practice should not be confused with homogenous communities of practice because this causes artificial dialogues that destroy the very creativity they claim to ignite.

Originality/value

The paper offers an alternative way of thinking, arguing for a move away from simplified, unbalanced perspectives of creativity that focus on one‐dimensionality and asymmetry.

Citation

Chaharbaghi, K. and Cripps, S. (2007), "Collective creativity: wisdom or oxymoron?", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 31 No. 8, pp. 626-638. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090590710833679