A Mixed-Methods Study of Creative Problem Solving and Psychosocial Safety Climate: Preparing Engineers for the Future...

Area of Science:

• Engineering Education
• Organizational Psychology
• Future of Work Studies

Background:

• The evolving nature of work necessitates new skills, with creative problem-solving becoming paramount.
• Engineers face increasing demands to adapt to technological advancements and new working methodologies.
• Understanding how engineers utilize creative problem-solving is crucial for their professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore engineers' understanding and application of creative problem-solving.
• To identify factors influencing creative problem-solving in the engineering profession.
• To propose a framework for fostering creativity in engineering work environments.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory mixed-methods approach was employed.
• Exceptional cases analysis was used to identify high-functioning engineers.
• The study examined associations between creativity knowledge, application, perceived value, and work environment.

Main Results:

• Significant links were found between engineers' implicit creativity knowledge, creative problem-solving, and the perceived value of creativity.
• Engineers reporting higher functioning also reported working in psychosocially safe environments.
• Work environments that facilitate psychosocial safety appear to be key enablers of creative problem-solving.

Conclusions:

• A new theoretical framework integrating the Four Ps and psychosocial safety climate is proposed for management.
• Fostering a perception of value for creativity is essential to reinforce its benefits for engineers.
• Organizations must cultivate psychosocially safe environments to support engineers' creative problem-solving skills, which are vital in the face of automation.