Creativity and Innovation in Theory and Practice This reading basically talks about difference between creativity and

innovation and hence after understanding creativity and innovation separately, how to support them. In common, Innovation is described as the solution for a wide range of problems that an organization faces. Whereas, creativity is defined as the process of finding a novelty and then transforming findings into observable products. The innovative performance of an individual depends on social judgment of others who may recognize this product as novel. The author finds that key problem in research field so far is that the theoretical difference between the constructs of innovation and creativity has not been fully defined. So in this reading he tries to provide some insights that can help in this regard. Organization innovation has been defined as novelty that is useful i.e. the process of bringing novelty to use. Hence organizations have described innovation as a process of commercializing an invention. But author feels this definition is problematic since innovation is a label given to something judged as new and useful. Hence author takes help of organizational psychology and quotes the definition given by West and Farr, which he feels is most appropriate definition of innovation: the intentional introduction and application within a role, group or organization of ideas, processes or procedures, new to the relevant unit of adoption, designed to significantly benefit the individual, group, organization or society. Author agrees with the explanation that creativity is the development of ideas while innovation is the implementation and application of ideas. Also, creativity is more a characteristic of individuals, while innovation implementation tends to be accomplished by groups, organization or societies. Now after distinguishing creativity and innovation separately, people and organizations have to think on support to creativity and support to innovation. I.e. organization have to make itself clear whether it wants to promote creativity or innovation and after this it has to separately find creativity and innovation and then support them.