Examining Creativity as a Paradox: The Interactive Effects of Novelty and Utility on In-Role Performance

Abstract

In this research, we explored how the two dimensions of creativity—novelty and utility—interact to influence employees' in-role performance. Drawing on flow theory, we hypothesize that the interaction between novelty and utility indirectly and positively affects in-role performance via flow. We also hypothesize that learning goal orientation moderates the relationship between flow and in-role performance. Using a multisource study and a multiwave time-lagged study, we found that both studies consistently showed that flow mediated the relationship between the interaction of novelty with utility and in-role performance. Novelty was more strongly related to flow when utility was higher, which in turn resulted in better in-role performance. Learning goal orientation attenuated the positive relationship between flow and in-role performance such that the relationship was weaker for employees with high (vs. low) learning goal orientation. The results also demonstrated the moderated mediation effects of creativity (i.e., novelty × utility) on in-role performance via flow contingent on learning goal orientation. We discuss the implications of these findings and future directions for research.