Mindfulness and creative process engagement: the mediating role of workplace relational systems

Usama Awan, Muhammad Sufyan*, Irfan Ameer, Saqib Shamim, Pervaiz Akhtar, Najam Ul Zia

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: Despite widespread recognition of the importance of mindfulness in organizational science literature, little is known about how mindfulness motivates individuals to configure information processing and team member exchange relationships to increase creative process engagement. Drawing on motivated information processing theory, this study conceptualizes and empirically examines whether and how mindfulness motivates individuals toward creative process engagement. Design/methodology/approach: The authors collected data through an online survey from 311 respondents working in the Research and Development (R&D) departments of organizations in multiple industries in Pakistan. For analytical purposes, the authors have applied the structural equation modeling technique. Findings: This study advances a different view of individual mindfulness on the creative process engagement in the following ways. First, mindfulness enables individuals to self-regulate in specific situations and become effective in fostering creative process engagement. Second, this study extends research on relational information processing by linking it to mindfulness and creative process engagement. Relational information processing partially mediates the relationship between mindfulness and creative process engagement. Third, this study highlights that mindfulness motivates individuals to focus more on developing quality working relationships, but they seem less willing to participate in idea generation and problem-solving solutions. Originality/value: The study findings provide implications for research on mindfulness, creativity and motivated information processing to enhance individuals’ creative process engagements. The authors also discuss the implications for executives on the relational and creative benefits of mindfulness.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)241-263
Number of pages23
JournalJournal of Managerial Psychology
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Apr 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Social Psychology
  • Applied Psychology
  • Management Science and Operations Research
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

Keywords

  • Creative process engagement
  • Mindfulness
  • Motivated information processing
  • Relational information processing
  • Team member exchange

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