The Difference Between Creativity and Innovation

A recent blog about the differences between creativity and innovation (http://lateralaction.com/articles/creativity-innovation/) has me reflecting on my long-term frustration at the fact that these terms are used interchangeably, when in fact there are distinct meanings.

Not being willing to be frustrated without doing anything about it, I started a little research project, which -- as usual -- turned into a big research project (for which I "blame" Dr. Mary Murdock, who encouraged this diversion).

Now, at some level, words mean what you say they mean, but when one starts digging into the literature, one finds that there are some real differences according to the scholars and researchers.  Which I did for an academic paper that I presented at the Creativity and Innovation Management Conference last year at the International Center for Studies in Creativity, and which was subsequently published in the proceedings. 

The paper calls for rigor in language, and based on the analysis of over 60 definitions of innovation, plus the review of definitions of creativity, here are the conclusions and implications:

1)      Creative thinking, creativity, and innovation are separate and distinct things.  Creative thinking is a process that can be taught, creativity is a phenomenon about which can be taught, and innovation is more than creativity.

2)      While creativity is made up of the so-called 4 P’s, (person, process, product, and press), innovation involves the elements of people, repeated creative thinking, product introduction, implementation strategies and internal and external press (or context).

3)      Using the terms interchangeably is damaging to the development of our field and researchers and practitioners should be deliberate in their choice of words and should educate others as to their preferred definitions

4)      The likelihood of settling on one definition for a construct as broad as creativity or innovation is remote, yet that doesn’t mean we should avoid the attempt.

The full article appears here.Download C_9-2-08_Creativity vs innovation article

All I'm saying is, make sure you know what you're saying, and that people know what you mean.  There may be a difference.

Comments

[Wail Farhat]

Hi Jonathan,
Thanks a lot for such an interesting and valuable addition on Creativity and Innovation. With thousands of articles and websites on the topics, mostly representing personal perceptions of their own writers, not realizing the damage they are doing to those whom are looking for the bottom line when it comes to understanding Creativity and Innovation, and getting greatly confused by those writers, bloggers, or even semi-educated!

I found your paper straight to the point, with great values and insights which really enriched my knowledge and understanding of those terms.

Sincerely,
Wail

[Marci Segal]

Timely article Jonathan - right during World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 - 21!! Thanks for your contribution. See http://wp.me/PURBb-1h for info on WCIW