(in German)

This final report presents the results of the project 'Creativity and Health at Work - Study of creativity-promoting work design in the economy'. The aims of the project were: the modelling of creativity and health and their antecedents at work based on a review of current literature; a survey to assess creativity- and health-promoting resp. hindering task characteristics; development of an intervention for the promotion of creativity and health in companies and its exemplary evaluation. Based on findings from the literature review we developed a model that assumes two chains of consequences from different constellations of work conditions: High learning demands and high resources mediated by strain outcomes, e.g. intrinsic motivation, lead to high performance, e. g. creativity, in the long run. High stressors and low resources mediated by strain outcomes, e.g. irritation, on the other hand, lead to impaired health, e.g. exhaustion. We validated this model by structural equation modelling for two different combinations of task characteristics. 830 employees participated in an online questionnaire to assess creativity- and health-relevant task characteristics; among them participants from seven companies (SME). Besides model-conforming relations we also found differential effects, e.g. executives named higher stressors and demands but also higher resources at their job. In turn, this constellation was reflected in better health of the executives.

A theory- and evidence-based intervention - createhealth circle - was developed. We conducted this intervention in a knowledge intensive service company and evaluated it with a controlled design at four measurement times. Evaluation criteria were objective creative performance, ratings of the creative work performance by colleagues and superiors as well as self-assessments of health. The createhealth circles consisted of a training of creative problem solving and participative work design on company-specific weak points. Changes in the working conditions were assessed with a repetition of the online questionnaire. The intervention with 36 participants (complete company) led to an increase of general and work-related creativity as well as to a decrease in impaired well-being (a.o. musculo-sceletal pain). However, not every effect was sustainable or replicable. Learning demands and latitudes increased during the intervention; however, some stressors, e.g. time pressure, also increased.

To sum up, the study shows that enlarged autonomy and the design of complex and demanding tasks as well as the reduction of stressors are suitable measures to positively influence employees' health and at the same time performance aspects like creativity. Therefore, work-related creativity and health can be systematically promoted through participative approaches to work design.

Please download the complete report "Creativity and health at work - assessment, intervention, evaluation" (in German only).