Creativity in near versus distant future

Abstract

This study explores the regulatory fit/nonfit effect on creativity under the condition that increases focus on performance: the leader-subordinate context. This study hypothesize that nonfit between subordinates’ regulatory focus (promotion vs. prevention) and a temporal distance (near vs. distant) will enhance subordinates’ creativity more than a condition of fit when they concern their performance. The results show that people with a greater promotion focus showed higher creativity after recalling a leader-stipulated task in the near (vs. distant) future. Performance concern in the leader-subordinate context moderated the temporal nonfit effect. This nonfit effect was not observed among those with a prevention focus.