Impact of Meritocratic Beliefs of Newcomers on Creativity: A Career Construction Perspective

• Published in: Psychological reports Vol. 126; no. 3; pp. 1531 - 1550
• Main Authors: Li, Zhongqiu, Liang, Liang, Duan, Caiquan, Zhang, Xue, Lv, Zhuo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2023
• Subjects: China; Creativity; Employment; Humans; Negotiating; Occupations; China; meritocratic beliefs; employee creativity; meaning of work; learning adaptability; career construction theory
• ISSN: 0033-2941; 1558-691X
• DOI: 10.1177/00332941211064810

Recent research suggests that meritocratic beliefs impact future-oriented activities. However, relatively little attention has been given to concomitant work outcomes, such as employee creativity. This study examines how the meritocratic beliefs of newcomers relate to employee creativity. We explore a serial mediation model where the meritocratic beliefs of newcomers heighten their meaning of work and learning adaptability, which increases employee creativity. We use questionnaires to survey 212 full-time employees from 10 manufacturing enterprises in China, who had joined their companies for less than a year. The results show that positive serial indirect effects of the meritocratic beliefs of newcomers on employee creativity via increased meaning of work and learning adaptability. Overall, the results provide new insight that may advance theoretical and practical implications on the pathways in which meritocratic beliefs may enhance employee creativity.