Firm-Level Creative Capital and the Role of External Labour
Human Resource Management, Social Innovation and Technology
ISBN: 978-1-78441-130-5, eISBN: 978-1-78441-129-9
Publication date: 14 August 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The goal of this study was to empirically determine whether creative capital can be distinguished at the firm level and to determine what role external labour plays in enhancing firm-level creative capital.
Methodology/approach
This study was conducted using a qualitative design. Interviews were held with eight managers knowledgeable on HR implementation and the use of creativity within their firms.
Findings
Creative capital was identified on the organizational level. The use made and roles given to external labour, in the form of contract and project-based employees as well as consultants and specialists for core activities, are important aspects in enhancing firm-level creative capital. We also found support for the claim that the use of labour market intermediaries in involving external labour differs between organizations with low and high levels of creative capital. Further, the findings indicate that more use is made of external labour in highly creative capital organizations when they are operating in dynamic environments.
Research limitations/implications
Given out sample limitations, future research should develop a study design that allows our findings to be generalized to a larger population, including a focus on specific distinguishing departments within organizations.
Practical implications
Organizations can enhance their innovation performance through using firm-level creative capital, using external labour to acquire and retain the KSAOs needed.
Originality/value
The study is highly original and adds value to existing theory as it is the first to explore the relationship between external labour and firm-level creative capital.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Jan Kees Looise and Tanya Bondarouk for the discussions and their suggestions made in an earlier stage of the underlying research project. Furthermore, we would like to thank Roy Noordhoek and Céleste van Zijp for their contributions on the research on firm-level creative capital.
Citation
Veenendaal, A. and Kearney, M. (2014), "Firm-Level Creative Capital and the Role of External Labour", Human Resource Management, Social Innovation and Technology (Advanced Series in Management, Vol. 14), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 73-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120140000014012
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited