Exploring the influence of entrepreneurial leadership on the context for creativity : the case of Åpent Bakeri
Master thesis
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Date
2014-02-12Metadata
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- Master of Science [1622]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND CASE SELECTION
In the post-industrial society organisations are increasingly recognising ideas
as their most valuable commodity and their employee’s creative potential as a
huge resource. The creative economy links creative assets such as creative
people in organisations to competitive advantage, by focusing how the creative
industries influence the general economy. The aim of this thesis is to explore
creativity outside the defined creative industries.
In a preliminary interview the head of the Norwegian Union for Bakers and
Confectioners (BKLF), Anders Vangen, described how revenues had been in
decline in the Norwegian bakery industry, and how the only creative industrywide
project1 had yielded few results. However, it was also revealed that in
Oslo some of the Bakeries are successfully going back to the traditional craft
baking - while still maintaining a modern image. These were being highly
successful in an otherwise troubled industry. One of these is Åpent Bakeri,
which is the case of this thesis.
CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP
The field of organisational creativity focuses on the contextual influences on
creativity in organisations. Previous research has revolved around creative
climates; the artificial level of organisational culture (McLean, 2005). This
thesis takes a deeper dive into the creative context by also exploring the link
between the organisational climate and culture.
Leaders of organisations are often described as definers or givers of culture.
Schein (1990, 2010) argues how entrepreneurial leaders can embed, articulate
and reinforce their values in a culture through primary and secondary
leadership mechanisms. By merging creativity theory and Schein’s (2010,
1990) mechanisms this thesis presents an analytical framework for examining
entrepreneurial leadership’s influence on the context for creativity. Our research question is: How does Entrepreneurial Leadership Influence the
Context for Creativity at Åpent Bakeri?
The research is designed as an exploratory case study. Qualitative data is
collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews at all levels at Åpent
Bakeri. The exploratory nature of our study allow us to piece together
information, gaining a deeper understanding of creativity in Åpent Bakeri and
how it is influenced by its entrepreneurial leadership.
MAJOR FINDINGS
The major findings of our research are that the entrepreneurs at Åpent Bakeri
help facilitate a context for creativity through three main mechanisms. First,
they facilitate communication through implementing a semi-flat hierarchy,
building personal relationships with employees and designing a physical work
environment conductive to communication and humour. Second, they
encourage diversity through symbolising and recruiting people from different
backgrounds and nationalities. Third, they motivate employees through
inspirational role-modelling, challenge, and perceivable freedom; exercising
control on what they believe is crucial for the success of Åpent Bakeri, while
allowing employees to feel free in their day-to-day tasks at work.
All through they cannot be accredited for everything that is creative at Åpent
Bakeri, the entrepreneurs create a context where norms dictate that creative
behaviour is allowed; sometimes even expected.
Description
Masteroppgave (MSc) in Master of Science in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Handelshøyskolen BI, 2014