Abstract
The feedback-seeking literature suggests that acquiring different perspectives from others, individuals would be able to improve their creative performance. However, our understanding of the effect of feedback-seeking is notably underdeveloped since primary research focused mainly on feedback from leaders. Grounded in self-determination theory, the current study proposes a theoretical model for how feedback-seeking from team members is beneficial and can supplement feedback from leaders, and thus can improve employee creativity. Also, we propose that individual traits may be one reason that seeking feedback does not lead to intended creativity. Accordingly, this study suggests a moderated mediation model to examine the roles of thriving at work and mindfulness between feedback-seeking from team members and employee creativity. Based on three-wave-lagged data collected from 351 employees and their leaders, we found that feedback-seeking from team members could promote employee creativity via thriving at work, and the indirect effect of thriving at work was stronger for employees with a higher level of mindfulness.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aiken, L. S., West, S. G., & Reno, R. R. 1991. Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Allen, T. D., & Kiburz, K. M. 2012. Trait mindfulness and work–family balance among working parents: The mediating effects of vitality and sleep quality. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 80(2): 372–379.
Anderson, J. C., & Gerbing, D. W. 1988. Structural equation modeling in practice: A review and recommended two-step approach. Psychological Bulletin, 103(3): 411–423.
Anseel, F., Beatty, A. S., Shen, W., Lievens, F., & Sackett, P. R. 2015. How are we doing after 30 years? A meta-analytic review of the antecedents and outcomes of feedback-seeking behavior. Journal of Management, 41(1): 318–348.
Ashford, S. J. 1986. Feedback-seeking in individual adaptation: A resource perspective. Academy of Management Journal, 29(3): 465–487.
Ashford, S. J., & Black, J. S. 1996. Proactivity during organizational entry: The role of desire for control. Journal of Applied Psychology, 81(2): 199.
Ashford, S. J., & Cummings, L. L. 1983. Feedback as an individual resource: Personal strategies of creating information. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, 32(3): 370–398.
Ashford, S. J., & Tsui, A. S. 1991. Self-regulation for managerial effectiveness: The role of active feedback seeking. Academy of Management Journal, 34(2): 251–280.
Ashford, S. J., Blatt, R., & VandeWalle, D. 2003. Reflections on the looking glass: A review of research on feedback-seeking behavior in organizations. Journal of Management, 29(6): 773–799.
Ashford, S. J., De Stobbeleir, K., & Nujella, M. 2016. To seek or not to seek: Is that the only question? Recent developments in feedback-seeking literature. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 3: 213–239.
Ashford, S. J., Wellman, N., Sully de Luque, M., De Stobbeleir, K. E., & Wollan, M. 2018. Two roads to effectiveness: CEO feedback seeking, vision articulation, and firm performance. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(1): 82–95.
Auh, S., Menguc, B., Imer, P., & Uslu, A. 2019. Frontline employee feedback-seeking behavior: How is it formed and when does it matter? Journal of Service Research, 22(1): 44–59.
Baard, P. P., Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. 2004. Intrinsic need satisfaction: A motivational basis of performance and weil‐being in two work settings. Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 34(10): 2045–2068.
Baer, M., & Oldham, G. R. 2006. The curvilinear relation between experienced creative time pressure and creativity: Moderating effects of openness to experience and support for creativity. Journal of Applied Psychology, 91(4): 963.
Baer, R. A., Smith, G. T., Hopkins, J., Krietemeyer, J., & Toney, L. 2006. Using self-report assessment methods to explore facets of mindfulness. Assessment, 13(1): 27–45.
Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. 1986. The moderator–mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic, and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 51(6): 1173.
Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. 1995. The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3): 497.
Brislin, R. W. 1970. Back-translation for cross-cultural research. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 1(3): 185–216.
Brown, K. W., & Ryan, R. M. 2003. The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(4): 822.
Brown, K. W., Ryan, R. M., & Creswell, J. D. 2007. Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry, 18(4): 211–237.
Brown, K. W., West, A. M., Loverich, T. M., & Biegel, G. M. 2011. Assessing adolescent mindfulness: Validation of an adapted mindful attention awareness scale in adolescent normative and psychiatric populations. Psychological Assessment, 23(4): 1023.
Brown, K. W., Goodman, R. J., Ryan, R. M., & Anālayo, B. 2016. Mindfulness enhances episodic memory performance: Evidence from a multimethod investigation. PLoS ONE, 11(4): e0153309.
Carmeli, A., & Spreitzer, G. M. 2009. Trust, connectivity, and thriving: Implications for innovative behaviors at work. The Journal of Creative Behavior, 43(3): 169–191.
Carmody, J., Reed, G., Kristeller, J., & Merriam, P. 2008. Mindfulness, spirituality, and health-related symptoms. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 64(4): 393–403.
Carver, C. S. 1998. Resilience and thriving: Issues, models, and linkages. Journal of Social Issues, 54(2): 245–266.
Chae, H., Park, J., & Choi, J. N. 2019. Two facets of conscientiousness and the knowledge sharing dilemmas in the workplace: Contrasting moderating functions of supervisor support and coworker support. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 40(4): 387–399.
Chang, J.-H., Huang, C.-L., & Lin, Y.-C. 2015. Mindfulness, basic psychological needs fulfillment, and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 16(5): 1149–1162.
Chen, Z., Lam, W., & Zhong, J. A. 2007. Leader-member exchange and member performance: A new look at individual-level negative feedback-seeking behavior and team-level empowerment climate. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(1): 202.
Chun, J. U., Lee, D., & Sosik, J. J. 2018. Leader negative feedback-seeking and leader effectiveness in leader-subordinate relationships: The paradoxical role of subordinate expertise. The Leadership Quarterly, 29(4): 501–512.
Crommelinck, M., & Anseel, F. 2013. Understanding and encouraging feedback-seeking behaviour: A literature review. Medical Education, 47(3): 232–241.
De Stobbeleir, K. E., Ashford, S. J., & Buyens, D. 2011. Self-regulation of creativity at work: The role of feedback-seeking behavior in creative performance. Academy of Management Journal, 54(4): 811–831.
De Stobbeleir, K., Ashford, S., & Zhang, C. 2020. Shifting focus: Antecedents and outcomes of proactive feedback seeking from peers. Human Relations, 73(3): 303–325.
Deci, E. L. 1975. Intrinsic motivation. New York. Plenum Press, 10: 978–971.
Deci, E., & Ryan, R. 1985. Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. New York: Plenum.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. 2000. The “what” and “why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4): 227–268.
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. 2012. Motivation, personality, and development within embedded social contexts: An overview of self-determination theory. In R. M. Ryan (Ed.) The Oxford handbook of human motivation.: 85–107. New York: Oxford University Press.
Dokko, G., Kane, A. A., & Tortoriello, M. 2014. One of us or one of my friends: How social identity and tie strength shape the creative generativity of boundary-spanning ties. Organization Studies, 35(5): 703–726.
Donald, J. N., Bradshaw, E. L., Ryan, R. M., Basarkod, G., Ciarrochi, J., Duineveld, J. J., Guo, J., & Sahdra, B. K. 2020. Mindfulness and its association with varied types of motivation: A systematic review and meta-analysis using self-determination theory. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 46(7): 1121–1138.
Eisenbeiss, S. A., & Van Knippenberg, D. 2015. On ethical leadership impact: The role of follower mindfulness and moral emotions. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 36(2): 182–195.
Farr, J., Schwartz, A., Quinn, J., & Bittner, K. 1989. Consequences of feedback seeking on supervisory performance ratings and attributions. 4th annual conference, Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Boston.
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. 1981. Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of Marketing Research: 18 39–50.
Gagné, M., & Deci, E. L. 2005. Self-determination theory and work motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26(4): 331–362.
Glomb, T. M., Duffy, M. K., Bono, J. E., & Yang, T. 2011. Mindfulness at work. In: Joshi. A., Liao, H. and Martocchio, J.J. (Eds.). Research in Personnel and Human Resources Management: 115-157. Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.
Hülsheger, U. R., Alberts, H. J., Feinholdt, A., & Lang, J. W. 2013. Benefits of mindfulness at work: the role of mindfulness in emotion regulation, emotional exhaustion, and job satisfaction. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2): 310–331.
Kabat‐Zinn, J. 2003. Mindfulness‐based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical psychology: Science and practice, 10(2): 144–156.
Kim, Y. J., & Kim, J. 2020. Does negative feedback benefit (or harm) recipient creativity? The role of the direction of feedback flow. Academy of Management Journal, 63(2): 584–612.
Kira, M., & Balkin, D. B. 2014. Interactions between work and identities: Thriving, withering, or redefining the self? Human Resource Management Review, 24(2): 131–143.
Klatt, M., Norre, C., Reader, B., Yodice, L., & White, S. 2017. Mindfulness in motion: A mindfulness-based intervention to reduce stress and enhance quality of sleep in Scandinavian employees. Mindfulness, 8(2): 481–488.
Klein, K. J., & Kozlowski, S. W. 2000. From micro to meso: Critical steps in conceptualizing and conducting multilevel research. Organizational Research Methods, 3(3): 211–236.
Kluger, A. N., & DeNisi, A. 1996. The effects of feedback interventions on performance: A historical review, a meta-analysis, and a preliminary feedback intervention theory. Psychological Bulletin, 119(2): 254–279.
Lam, W., Huang, X., & Snape, E. 2007. Feedback-seeking behavior and leader-member exchange: Do supervisor-attributed motives matter? Academy of Management Journal, 50(2): 348–363.
LeBreton, J. M., & Senter, J. L. 2008. Answers to 20 questions about interrater reliability and interrater agreement. Organizational Research Methods, 11(4): 815–852.
Lebuda, I., Zabelina, D. L., & Karwowski, M. 2016. Mind full of ideas: A meta-analysis of the mindfulness–creativity link. Personality and Individual Differences, 93: 22–26.
Leroy, H., Anseel, F., Dimitrova, N. G., & Sels, L. 2013. Mindfulness, authentic functioning, and work engagement: A growth modeling approach. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 82(3): 238–247.
Li, Q., Maggitti, P. G., Smith, K. G., Tesluk, P. E., & Katila, R. 2013. Top management attention to innovation: The role of search selection and intensity in new product introductions. Academy of Management Journal, 56(3): 893–916.
Liao, H., Liu, D., & Loi, R. 2010. Looking at both sides of the social exchange coin: A social cognitive perspective on the joint effects of relationship quality and differentiation on creativity. Academy of Management Journal, 53(5): 1090–1109.
Liu, J., & Bern-Klug, M. 2013. Nursing home social services directors who report thriving at work. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 56(2): 127–145.
Liu, D., Chen, X.-P., & Yao, X. 2011. From autonomy to creativity: A multilevel investigation of the mediating role of harmonious passion. Journal of Applied Psychology, 96(2): 294.
Luffarelli, J., Gonçalves, D., & Stamatogiannakis, A. 2016. When feedback interventions backfire: Why higher performance feedback may result in lower self-perceived competence and satisfaction with performance. Human Resource Management, 55(4): 591–614.
Madjar, N. 2005. The contributions of different groups of individuals to employees’ creativity. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 7(2): 182–206.
Mesmer-Magnus, J. R., & DeChurch, L. A. 2009. Information sharing and team performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Applied Psychology, 94(2): 535–557.
Morrison, E. W., & Bies, R. J. 1991. Impression management in the feedback-seeking process: A literaturereview and research agenda. Academy of Management Review, 16(3): 522–541.
Nix, G. A., Ryan, R. M., Manly, J. B., & Deci, E. L. 1999. Revitalization through self-regulation: The effects of autonomous and controlled motivation on happiness and vitality. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 35(3): 266–284.
Pan, W., Sun, L.-Y., & Chow, I. H. S. 2012. Leader-member exchange and employee creativity: Test of a multilevel moderated mediation model. Human Performance, 25(5): 432–451.
Peng, H., & Wei, F. 2018. Trickle-down effects of perceived leader integrity on employee creativity: A moderated mediation model. Journal of Business Ethics, 150(3): 837–851.
Perry-Smith, J. E., & Shalley, C. E. 2003. The social side of creativity: A static and dynamic social network perspective. Academy of Management Review, 28(1): 89–106.
Porath, C., Spreitzer, G., Gibson, C., & Garnett, F. G. 2012. Thriving at work: Toward its measurement, construct validation, and theoretical refinement. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 33(2): 250–275.
Preacher, K. J., & Hayes, A. F. 2004. SPSS and SAS procedures for estimating indirect effects in simple mediation models. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 36(4): 717–731.
Quinn, R. W., & Dutton, J. E. 2005. Coordination as energy-in-conversation. Academy of Management Review, 30(1): 36–57.
Reis, H. T., Sheldon, K. M., Gable, S. L., Roscoe, J., & Ryan, R. M. 2000. Daily well-being: The role of autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 26(4): 419–435.
Renn, R. W., & Fedor, D. B. 2001. Development and field test of a feedback seeking, self-efficacy, and goal setting model of work performance. Journal of Management, 27(5): 563–583.
Rhoades, L., & Eisenberger, R. 2002. Perceived organizational support: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4): 698–722.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. 2000. Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American Psychologist, 55(1): 68–94.
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. 2017. Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness: Guilford Publications New York.
Ryan, R. M., & Frederick, C. 1997. On energy, personality, and health: Subjective vitality as a dynamic reflection of well-being. Journal of Personality, 65(3): 529–565.
Ryan, R. M., Huta, V., & Deci, E. L. 2008. Living well: A self-determination theory perspective on eudaimonia. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9(1): 139–170.
Shalley, C. E., Gilson, L. L., & Blum, T. C. 2009. Interactive effects of growth need strength, work context, and job complexity on self-reported creative performance. Academy of Management Journal, 52(3): 489–505.
Sherf, E. N., & Morrison, E. W. 2019. I do not need feedback! Or do I? Self-efficacy, perspective taking, and feedback seeking. Journal of Applied Psychology 105(2): 146–165
Siegel, D. J. 2007. Mindfulness training and neural integration: Differentiation of distinct streams of awareness and the cultivation of well-being. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, 2(4): 259–263.
Sijbom, R. B., Anseel, F., Crommelinck, M., De Beuckelaer, A., & De Stobbeleir, K. E. 2018. Why seeking feedback from diverse sources may not be sufficient for stimulating creativity: The role of performance dynamism and creative time pressure. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(3): 355–368.
Simonton, D. K. 2000. Creativity: Cognitive, personal, developmental, and social aspects. American Psychologist, 55(1): 151.
Simonton, D. K. 1984. Generational time-series analysis: A paradigm for studying sociocultural influences. In K. Gergen & M. Gergen (Eds.). Historical social psychology: 141–155. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Singh, S. K., Burgess, T. F., Heap, J., & Al Mehrzi, N. 2016. Competing through employee engagement: A proposed framework. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management.
Spreitzer, G. M., & Porath, C. 2014. Self-determination as nutriment for thriving: Building an integrative model of human growth at work. The Oxford Handbook of Work Engagement, Motivation, and Self-Determination Theory, 90: 245–258.
Spreitzer, G., Sutcliffe, K., Dutton, J., Sonenshein, S., & Grant, A. M. 2005. A socially embedded model of thriving at work. Organization Science, 16(5): 537–549.
VandeWalle, D., Ganesan, S., Challagalla, G. N., & Brown, S. P. 2000. An integrated model of feedback-seeking behavior: Disposition, context, and cognition. Journal of Applied Psychology, 85(6): 996.
Wallace, J. C., Butts, M. M., Johnson, P. D., Stevens, F. G., & Smith, M. B. 2016. A multilevel model of employee innovation: Understanding the effects of regulatory focus, thriving, and employee involvement climate. Journal of Management, 42(4): 982–1004.
Walumbwa, F. O., Muchiri, M. K., Misati, E., Wu, C., & Meiliani, M. 2018. Inspired to perform: A multilevel investigation of antecedents and consequences of thriving at work. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(3): 249–261.
Wu, C.-H., Liu, J., Kwan, H. K., & Lee, C. 2016. Why and when workplace ostracism inhibits organizational citizenship behaviors: An organizational identification perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 101(3): 362.
Zhou, J., & George, J. M. 2001. When job dissatisfaction leads to creativity: Encouraging the expression of voice. Academy of Management Journal, 44(4): 682–696.
Zhou, J., & Shalley, C. E. 2007. Handbook of organizational creativity. Taylor & Francis.
Zhou, J., & Shalley, C. E. 2008. Expanding the scope and impact of organizational creativity research. Handbook of Organizational Creativity, 28(1): 125–147.
Funding
This research was supported by the General Project of Philosophy and Social Science Research in Universities of Jiangsu Province (2020SJA0263) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2017B724X14).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, T., Wang, D. & Liu, Z. Feedback-seeking from team members increases employee creativity: the roles of thriving at work and mindfulness. Asia Pac J Manag 39, 1321–1340 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-021-09768-8
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-021-09768-8