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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Innovation and creativity: A critical linkage

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5546216

Creativity involves the associating of hitherto unrelated elements to form a new and useful combination. All have the ability but most seldom use it because of some false beliefs and failure to understand the creative process. Deterrents to creativity include fear of criticism, narrowness of education and training, habit, negative attitudes toward problems, lack of motivation, lack of self-confidence, lack of courage and discouragement by failures. The recognition and development of creative ideas requires mental effort, an open mind, searching seemingly unrelated fields and definition of the problem. Brainstorming is widely used to produce alternate ideas. Modifications of it are the Gordon Technique and Synectics. Morphological analysis and the examination of attributes are other aids to creativity. Recognition of a need, or of a new use of an old idea can be helpful. Management should encourage attempts at creativity. If the will exists, creativity can be developed by conscious effort instead of being left to chance.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
5546216
Report Number(s):
SAND-87-2801C; CONF-880234-1; ON: DE88003309
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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