Short answer
Focus on not only the innovation itself but also on how it will be perceived, understood, and adopted by its intended audience and stakeholders.
- Field
- Innovation & Design
- Source
- Journal of Management (2019)
- Method
- Literature Review
- Evidence
- Strong effect
The perceived value and adoption of creative ideas are significantly influenced by the characteristics of the idea itself, its originator, the evaluator, and the surrounding context. This innovation & design research insight is drawn from a 2019 study published in Journal of Management. Using Literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Focus on not only the innovation itself but also on how it will be perceived, understood, and adopted by its intended audience and stakeholders.
Perception of Creativity is Key to its Value
The perceived value and adoption of creative ideas are significantly influenced by the characteristics of the idea itself, its originator, the evaluator, and the surrounding context.
Journal of Management · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Four main groups of factors influence the evaluation and adoption of creativity: characteristics of the target (the creative output), the creator, the perceiver (the evaluator), and the context.
- 02Research on the generative side of creativity has historically received more attention than the receiving side, despite the latter's critical role in realizing value.
Application
Design takeaway
Focus on not only the innovation itself but also on how it will be perceived, understood, and adopted by its intended audience and stakeholders.
How to apply
When developing a new product or service, actively seek feedback from potential users and stakeholders throughout the design process, not just at the end.
Project actions
- 01When presenting your design project, think about who your audience is and how they might perceive your ideas.
- 02Consider the 'story' behind your design – who you are as a designer and how that might influence perception.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding creativity reception.
- +Integrates research from multiple disciplines, offering a holistic view.
Limitations
It can be challenging to isolate the impact of each of the four factor groups (target, creator, perceiver, context) in a real-world design project.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of the findings depend on the rigor of the empirical studies reviewed. The review itself aims for comprehensive coverage, enhancing its construct validity.
Think critically
How might a designer proactively address potential negative perceptions of their creative work before it is even presented?
Design Principles
"The value of creativity is realized through its reception and adoption."
Designers and innovators often focus on generating novel solutions, but understanding how these solutions are received is equally crucial for their successful implementation and impact. This insight highlights the importance of considering the audience and environment when developing and presenting creative work.
What This Means for Your Design
For a creative idea to be useful, people have to like it and want to use it. This depends on the idea itself, who made it, who is judging it, and where it is being shown.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of user testing and stakeholder feedback in your design process, demonstrating an understanding of adoption factors.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The successful implementation of creative design solutions is contingent upon their reception by stakeholders. Research indicates that the evaluation and adoption of creative outputs are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including the inherent characteristics of the design, the attributes of the designer, the perceptions of the evaluator, and the prevailing environmental context. Therefore, a comprehensive design approach must consider not only the generation of novel ideas but also the strategic communication and contextual positioning required for their acceptance and integration.
Source
Journal of Management
Understanding the Receiving Side of Creativity: A Multidisciplinary Review and Implications for Management Research
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about perception of creativity is key to its value?
- Focus on not only the innovation itself but also on how it will be perceived, understood, and adopted by its intended audience and stakeholders. Evidence: Journal of Management (2019).
- Why does "Perception of Creativity is Key to its Value" matter for design?
- Designers and innovators often focus on generating novel solutions, but understanding how these solutions are received is equally crucial for their successful implementation and impact. This insight highlights the importance of considering the audience and environment when developing and presenting creative work.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Focus on not only the innovation itself but also on how it will be perceived, understood, and adopted by its intended audience and stakeholders.
- What were the main findings?
- Four main groups of factors influence the evaluation and adoption of creativity: characteristics of the target (the creative output), the creator, the perceiver (the evaluator), and the context.. Research on the generative side of creativity has historically received more attention than the receiving side, despite the latter's critical role in realizing value.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Journal of Management.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing a new product or service, actively seek feedback from potential users and stakeholders throughout the design process, not just at the end.
- What are the limitations?
- The review synthesizes existing research, and the specific methodologies and contexts of the original studies may vary.