ERIC Number: EJ1288290
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Mar
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0175
EISSN: N/A
What Could Be My Next Job? Using Flat Information Structures to Generate Creative Future Career Ideas
Schilling, Anna; Celik, Pinar; Storme, Martin
Journal of Creative Behavior, v55 n1 p53-62 Mar 2021
In a dynamic labor market, it is important to help people combine information and generate creative solutions to cope with complex career challenges. In the present research, we apply the theory of information structure to creative career idea generation and hypothesize that flat information structures--that is, structures in which the information is disorganized--are more conducive to creativity than hierarchical information structures--that is, structures in which information is organized in higher-order categories. In two experimental studies, participants had to combine career information related to self and work preferences that was presented either in flat or hierarchical structures. We found that flat information structures, compared with hierarchical information structures, led to future career ideas that were more creative on average. Our results suggest that cognitive flexibility explains the effect of information structure on the creativity of career ideas. Theoretical implications and suggestions for career management practices are discussed.
Descriptors: Career Choice, Decision Making, Cognitive Processes, Concept Formation, Occupational Information, Preferences
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A