3 results
12 - Psychological aspects of innovation
- Ewa Okoń-Horodyńska, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Anna Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
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- Book:
- Statistical Profiles of Women's and Men's Status in the Economy, Science and Society
- Published by:
- Jagiellonian University Press
- Published online:
- 12 January 2018
- Print publication:
- 01 January 2016, pp 215-230
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Summary
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to analyse the most important psychological factors that impact on the innovation process. In psychology, the determinants of innovation are usually considered at three levels: individual, group/team and organization. When it comes to individual factors, research indicates that the variables associated with innovation are to some extent intelligence, personality traits such as openness to experience, low agreeableness and conscientiousness, and intrinsic motivation. The factors discussed at team level are group norms underlying the organizational climate and the composition of the team, with a focus on group roles. At the organizational level, the main role in the innovation process is played by the appropriate leadership and organizational factors such as autonomy, and the level of workload. This very brief overview will only serve to familiarize readers without any knowledge of psychology with the complexity of the issues facing innovation in this field.
Key words: psychology, innovation process, individual, group, organization
Introduction
Innovation is a concept most often dealt with in the field of economics and the economy, usually considered a technological phenomenon, although the latest definitions also take social innovation into account. Nevertheless, the human factor and the role of psychology in this area are often marginalized or even ignored (Kożusznik, 2010). And yet the person plays a key role in the innovation process – s/he is the author of the concept, which s/he after several stages ultimately puts into effect, but also the person is often a major barrier and obstacle to the creation and implementation of innovative ideas. Therefore, the study of innovation, and the search for the factors determining it, as well as affecting it inhibitorally must be interdisciplinary and take psychological factors into account.
Innovation issues in psychology are often considered at three levels: (i) the individual and individual resources, such as defined personality traits and cognitive abilities; (ii) the group, especially in terms of its structure, composition, standards and atmosphere; and (iii) the organization, where special emphasis is placed on the working environment, the climate and organizational culture, and leadership (e.g. Kożusznik, 2010; Trompenaars, 2010; Patterson et al., 2009). In addition, job-level factors are discussed which relate to the contextual characteristics of the everyday work (job structure, tasks and resources) and their influence on employee motivation and innovative behaviours (Parzefall et al., 2008).
8 - Contemporary value profiles of women and men – Polish pilot survey
- Ewa Okoń-Horodyńska, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Anna Zachorowska-Mazurkiewicz, Jagiellonian University, Krakow
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- Book:
- Statistical Profiles of Women's and Men's Status in the Economy, Science and Society
- Published by:
- Jagiellonian University Press
- Published online:
- 12 January 2018
- Print publication:
- 01 January 2016, pp 145-164
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Summary
Abstract
This chapter presents the results of a questionnaire survey on value profiles of Polish women and men with special emphasis on creativity. The measurement instrument enabled us to gain some insight into respondents’ value content and structure from both the individual and organizational perspectives. The similarities and differences between male and female respondents were analysed according to several research questions: (i) will the survey reflect the value patterns depending on the gender reported by participants? (ii) do Polish men and women differ in terms of their emphasis placed upon specific personal values including creativity? (iii) are there any significant differences between males’ and females’ perception of values emphasized in the organizations they declared working for? Contrary to other findings on the value profiles of Polish women and men, the current survey did not show any stronger value polarization on the basis of gender as declared by participants. This means that the value profiles were shaped in a similar way no matter whether a respondent was a woman or a man. Interestingly, the results of the survey showed, however, that women placed more emphasis on the vast majority of values compared to men. This tendency was visible both at the individual and organizational levels. This general higher value recognition declared by women is discussed with respect to eudaemonic versus hedonic life orientations. Creativity also appeared among the values on which female respondents significantly placed more emphasis then men, but only in organizational contexts.
Key words: men, women, values, creativity
Introduction
For the needs of this chapter, the value profiles of Polish women and men are analysed with a special respect to creativity treated as a possible psychological correlate of innovativeness. Values are thought of as important entities for many disciplines, including philosophy, economics, psychology, sociology, political science, and related areas. Values have been extensively studied at different levels of analysis -from the cultural/societal (e.g. Inglehart and Welzel, 2005; Hofstede, 1980; Boski, 2010; Czapiński, 2013), through organizational (Hofstede and Hofstede, 2007; Bugdol, 2006) to the individual (e.g. Rokeach, 1973; Schwartz, 1992). Value surveys reflect ongoing scientific effort in explaining changes in the contemporary cross-cultured world. The common dimensions of values that may help to shed some light on differences among cultures and economies seem one of the most important issues within this field of study.
COOPERATION – COMPETITION. PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
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- By Anna Dyląg, Jagiellonian University
- Edited by Piotr Jedynak
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- Book:
- Competition and Cooperation in the Management Theory and Practice
- Published by:
- Jagiellonian University Press
- Published online:
- 05 December 2014
- Print publication:
- 31 December 2014, pp 175-192
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Summary
INTRODUCTION
For the needs of this chapter, cooperation and competition are viewed from psychological perspective. Cooperation is seen as a kind of relation which yields more positive outcomes, and which requires more complex social, cognitive, motivational and moral skills. Also competition which is “a part of everyday life” [Deutsch 2000, p. 28], as long as it is fair and “healthy,” remains a promoted social behavior. Effective, constructive competition in cooperative context also requires development of complex skills (both at the individual and group levels), and it can be a positive experience for involved parties. Only destructive form of competition seems to bring more costs than advantages resulting in most negative effects.
Literature and research on human competitive – cooperative behavior bring many interesting issues that can be formulated as several questions. For instance:
• What effects (social and work related, at the individual and organizational level) are produced by competition and cooperation?
• How competition and cooperation are related – should cooperation be viewed as the superior or “more ethical” to competition?
• What are psychological determinants of an effective cooperation?
In the first section of this chapter, psychological definition of competition and cooperation will be presented as proposed by Deutsch [2000]. Then, comparison of the main characteristics of these behaviors will be presented. Next, competition – cooperation continuum will be discussed from a perspective of Kohlberg's concept of human moral development [1984].
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