Social networks have gained increased attention as a lens to understand employee creativity around the world. We propose that a complete understanding of whether and when structural holes and tie strength are conducive to creativity requires considering the cultural tightness of the country in which individual creators are embedded. Building on the diversity–bandwidth trade-off identified in network research, we theorize that, in culturally tight countries, where knowledge diversity is the primary need, structural holes and low tie strength (i.e., network characteristics that provide knowledge diversity) have a stronger positive effect. Conversely, in culturally loose countries, where knowledge bandwidth is the primary need, cohesive networks and higher tie strength (i.e., network characteristics providing knowledge bandwidth) are more likely to enhance creativity. We find evidence in support of these predictions using meta-analytic data synthesizing more than 30 years of research. These findings point to the importance of considering the tightness of cultural context when constructing networking actions and strategies to foster individual creativity.

社交网络作为了解世界各地员工创造力的一个镜头而受到越来越多的关注。我们建议，要全面了解结构漏洞和联系强度是否以及何时有利于创造力，需要考虑个体创作者所在国家的文化紧密度。基于网络研究中确定的多样性 - 带宽权衡，我们推测，在文化紧密的国家，知识多样性是主要需求，结构漏洞和低联系强度（即提供知识多样性的网络特征）具有更强的积极影响。相反，在文化松散的国家，知识带宽是主要需求，有凝聚力的网络和更高的联系强度（即，提供知识带宽的网络特征）更有可能增强创造力。我们使用综合 30 多年研究的元分析数据找到支持这些预测的证据。这些发现指出了在构建网络行动和策略以培养个人创造力时考虑文化背景的重要性。