Brainstorming Reconsidered: A Goal-Based View

Abstract

In this paper I propose goal setting as a mechanism for linking brainstorming research to organizational creativity. Using the large body of literature on brainstorming as a prototype, I develop a goal-based view of intervention in idea generation. A goal-based view provides new insight into the conduct and evaluation of brainstorming research that improves its relevance to management, and it suggests a broader agenda for defining expectations for creative ideas and tailoring interventions to match these definitions.