Differences Between Creativity and Innovation - Essay Example

Discussion: Difference between creativity, innovation, and its importance in knowledge context Introduction Numerous definitions of the word creativity exist. Despite the many different definitions that scholars and professionals in various fields have come up with the same underlying concepts which seem to be consistent with their descriptions (Sandbox, 1998). Creativity refers to the application of imagination or original ideas to create something. Furthermore, it also implies bringing something new into existence (Ray, 2006). Sefertzi (2000), defines creativity as the process of coming up with new ideas that did not exist initially. It may also mean reemerging of aspects that are well understood to create fresh ideas aimed at tackling difficult issues people may be facing. Creativity also involves invoking the imagination of creating new things. (Sullivan, 2008).Ideas to create new things usually comes from things people perceive in their daily lives. A major issue of concern lately has been the role played by schools in killing creativity. Schools have been accused of killing creativity by coming up with rigid theories as a basis for conducting everyday issues. Students are encouraged to seek for white color jobs and subjects that embrace creativity such as art is disregarded. Other authors describe creativity as changing the ways people used to perform a certain task and coming up with new approaches that are better and more advanced (Ray, 2006). People convert old ideas into new once by modifying them. In addition, the degree of modification does not necessarily have to be much intense. Any minute changes that can be easily identified with the newly modified object can be termed as a creative design. Creativity originates from three vital elements that include knowledge, imagination, and motivation. Knowledge equips people with the necessary information and skills gained through education. Education has been however criticized as one of the major impediments that undermines the growth and development of creativity. Knowledge is one of the instrumental factors that contribute towards achieving creativity. Motivation induces people to demonstrate their creative abilities that are inborn. Problems create a lot of uneasiness amongst people arousing the need to find amicable solutions. Coming up with solutions that will ensure that the problems do not persist call for the application of creative thinking (Adams, 2005). Innovation Innovation can be as making changes in things that already exist by introducing new products, ideas or methods. Economists pay more attention to the concept of goods and services. When a new product is into the market and has more advanced feature than previous versions, the word innovation is used to describe the new product. When Apple, a leading electronic manufacturer in the United States of America introduced the iPod, it was regarded an innovation because people dimmed it to be an advancement of Sony’s Walkman. It became a more advanced music player and had new exciting features that the Walkman lacked. Industries globally continue to embrace new innovative ways in their processes in the hope of improving the quality of service and goods offered in order to achieve operational excellence (Amanet, 2014).Innovation has been a global phenomenon that has led to the achievement of remarkable breakthroughs in the field of computing, science, mathematics, medicine and has enhanced knowledge levels. It has promoted the growth of information technology that has contributed significantly in imparting knowledge to the society. The effects of change have been felt everywhere in different sectors of the economy. The most important concepts in innovation are introduction of new products and process processes (Herzog, 2011). The primary aim of supporting innovative initiatives is to promote the growth and development of organizations to their desired levels. More so, its objective is to increase the profitability of the organization and enhancing working conditions (Sullivan, 2008). Differences between creativity and innovation People sometimes confuse the two words. There are significant distinguishing concepts that differentiate the two words. Creativity is a major pillar that contributes in coming up with innovative ideas, products, and methods. The premises according to the current definitions has been widely accepted (Marshall, 2013). Creativity does not entail coming up with new ideas; rather it includes how the ideas can be successful be incorporated to come with favorable results (Destination, 2014). Through creativity, people can realize their full potential driven by the ideas they have already conceptualized in their minds. The ideas can be clearly noted in visualizing or coming into contact with the results of creativity (Florida and Tinagli, 2004).Creativity is based on/influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions and therefore no parameters can be used to ascertain the level of its degree (Runco, 2007). On the hand, innovation cannot be influenced by personal feelings or opinions when consideration is in representing facts. It has measurable parameters and focuses on effecting new changes to the existing systems with the intention of achieving stability. It also focuses on strategies that can be implemented to make a proposed idea successful (Hervás-oliver et al, 2014). Importance of creativity and innovation Knowledge economy is manufacturing and provision of goods and services on grounds of the knowledge acquired which influences rapid growth of different economic sectors. Creativity and innovation have been the major ingredients that have led to landmark technological breakthrough in the history of humankind (Tan, 2013). The two concepts have been the major forces that have contributed to the enhancement of GDP in many countries (Anthony, 2012).Competitive strategies used in businesses are not only limited to the commercial activities carried out between countries; rather it covers a wider scope. Human resource managers have shifted their focus on creativity and innovation as the major abilities that are used to determine the employability of the worker (Hemlin, et al., 2004).Instead of using academic background as a basis for job qualifications, creativity of candidates should be tested which should be used to measure the value employees bring. Education has been criticized as one of the factors that limit creativity and innovation because it programs student to think in a similar pattern. Many people die without discovering their talents because education prepared them to embrace the status quo (Quah, 1998). Creativity and innovation have made Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) gain a lot of interest. It has come to the attention of the Companies that they must hire employees who have the skills and ability to manufacture new goods and services (Mumford, et al, 2008).Creativity and innovation thrives in world leading economies which have also supported the growth and development of information technology. Efficient and effective manufacturing processes have managed to be successful adopted in many industries because of the two concepts (Powell and Snellman, 2004). Creativity and innovation have been instrumental in coming up with solutions to problems. Industries have managed to achieve flexible, efficient, and effective manufacturing processes (Borland, 2003). The overall benefits that have been made in the methods include high productivity, quality products and services and new goods and services. Indeed, creativity should be incorporated in school curriculums and treated equally in literature because of the numerous benefits it brings. Parents have been at the forefront in killing creativity of their children by enrolling their children in schools that emphasize on academic excellence rather than nurturing creativity (Kaufman, 2009). Reference List Adams, K (2005).The Sources of Innovation and Creativity.National Center on Education and Economy. Amanet, (2014).Creativity and Innovation: Unleash Your Potential for Greater Success. [5.12.2014] Anthony, S. D. (2012). The little black book of innovation: how it works, how to do it. . Borland, J. H. (2003). Rethinking gifted education. New York [u.a.], Teachers College Press. Destination, (2014).What is the Difference between Creativity and Innovation? [5.12.2014]. Florida, R and Tinagli, I (2004).Europe in the Competitive Age. Carnegie Mellon. Hervás-oliver, J.-L., & Peris-Ortiz, M. (2014). Management Innovation: Antecedents, Complementarities and Performance Consequences. [5.12.2014]. Herzog, P. (2011). Open and closed innovation different cultures for different strategies. Wiesbaden, Gabler. [5.12.2014] Hemlin, S., Allwood, C. M., & Martin, B. R. (2004). Creative Knowledge Environments the Influences on Creativity in Research and Innovation. Cheltenham, Edward Elgar Pub. [5.12.2014]. Kaufman, J. C. (2009). Creativity 101. New York, NY, Springer Pub. [5.12.2014]. Marshall, D (2013).There’s a Critical Difference between Creativity and Innovation. Drew Marshall Primed Associates. Mumford, M., Hunter, S., and Bedell-Avers, K (2008).Multi-level Issues in Creativity and Innovation.Amsterdam, Elsevier. Paulus, P. B., & Nijstad, B. A. (2003). Group creativity innovation through collaboration. New York, Oxford University Press. [5.12.2014]. http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=13726. Powell and Snellman, K(2004).The Knowledge Economy. http://www.businessinsider.com/difference-between-creativity-and-innovation-2013-4 Ray, K (2006).What is Creativity. Mercer Street. Runco, M. A. (2007). Creativity theories and themes: research, development, and practice. Amsterdam, Elsevier Academic Press. [5.12.2014]. < http: //site.ebrary.com/id/10158387.> Sefertzi, E (2000).Creativity: Dissemination of Innovation and Knowledge Management Techniques. Sullivan, O (2008).Defining Innovation Tan, A.-G. (2013). Creativity, talent and excellence. Singapore, Springer. [5.12.2014]. Quah, D (1998).Growth and Wealth Creation in the Weightless Knowledge-Based Economy. London School of Economics. Sundbo, J (1998).The Theory of Innovation. Edward Elgar. Read More