Individual Learning Styles and Creativity

Abstract

Business schools are in need of developing creative graduates. This article explores how creativity among business students can be stimulated. Because a considerable amount of knowledge is required for creative ideas to emerge, the learning process has a significant impact on creativity. This, in turn, indicates that learning style is important for creative performance. In addition to exploring the relationship between learning styles and creativity, the research reported here tested self-efficacy and enjoyment as mediators. One hundred and fifty students participated in this study. Hierarchical regression analysis indicated that independent and collaborative learning styles were associated with higher creativity. Although the independent learning style-creativity relationship was mediated by self-efficacy, the collaborative learning style-creativity relationship was partially mediated by enjoyment of the learning process. Implications for business education are discussed.

Notes

¹ The results did not offer support for bipolarity on the two learning scale dimensions under study, confirming that the styles can be studied independently. Such bipolarity was also unsupported by Montgomery and Groat (1998). Students usually gravitate towards one or two preferred styles (Diaz & Cartnal, 1999).