The Extrinsic Motivational Mechanism of Creativity: The Moderating Role of Creative Problem‐Solving Requirements and Creative Self‐Efficacy

ABSTRACT

This study examines how extrinsic motivation influences employee creativity by distinguishing between creativity quantity and creativity quality. Using data from 183 independent employee–manager dyads, we found that extrinsic motivation directly predicted creativity quantity, but not creativity quality. However, extrinsic motivation indirectly predicted both creativity outcomes through employees' engagement in creativity‐relevant processes. Overall, its effect was more pronounced for creativity quantity than for creativity quality. We further found that the relationship between extrinsic motivation and creativity‐relevant processes was stronger when creative problem‐solving requirements were lower or when creative self‐efficacy was higher. These findings contribute to the motivation and creativity literature by clarifying how and when extrinsic motivation supports employee creativity, particularly creativity quantity. They also underscore the importance of a balanced approach that integrates both intrinsic and extrinsic motivational drivers to foster creativity in organizations.