Developing an Innovative Organization with a Focus on Innate Versus Learned Perspective

Paul M. Arsenault
West Chester University

Peter Oehlers
West Chester University

Arsenault, P. M., & Oehlers, P. (2017). Developing an Innovative Organization with a Focus on Innate Versus Learned Perspective. Business Creativity and the Creative Economy, 3, 65-74. https://doi.org/10.18536/bcce.2017.10.3.1.06

Abstract

With innovation increasing at a breakneck speed, how to increase innovative thinking in people is of keen interest for organizations. One of the major questions is whether innovative thinking can be nurtured. This relates to the age-old argument of nature and nurture. The present study focused on one innate variable, personality, and job satisfaction, a nurturing variable. Results showed a significant relationship between the Myers-Briggs functions and attitudes, job satisfaction, and innovative thinking. A stepwise regression indicated the personality variables accounted for more of the explanation of the variance than job satisfaction. This finding disrupts the assumption there would be equal representation of an innate and nurtured influences. In addition, the results indicate that innovative thinking is a combination of divergent and convergent thinking, dispelling the perception that innovative thinking is primarily divergent. The results further support a new definition of innovative thinking. Recommendations include providing new development strategies to increase innovative thinking/behavior and hiring strategies.

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