Exploring the influence of entrepreneurial leadership on the context for creativity : the case of Åpent Bakeri

摘要

BACKGROUND AND CASE SELECTIONIn the post-industrial society organisations are increasingly recognising ideasas their most valuable commodity and their employee’s creative potential as ahuge resource. The creative economy links creative assets such as creativepeople in organisations to competitive advantage, by focusing how the creativeindustries influence the general economy. The aim of this thesis is to explorecreativity outside the defined creative industries.In a preliminary interview the head of the Norwegian Union for Bakers andConfectioners (BKLF), Anders Vangen, described how revenues had been indecline in the Norwegian bakery industry, and how the only creative industrywideproject1 had yielded few results. However, it was also revealed that inOslo some of the Bakeries are successfully going back to the traditional craftbaking - while still maintaining a modern image. These were being highlysuccessful in an otherwise troubled industry. One of these is Åpent Bakeri,which is the case of this thesis.CREATIVITY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIPThe field of organisational creativity focuses on the contextual influences oncreativity in organisations. Previous research has revolved around creativeclimates; the artificial level of organisational culture (McLean, 2005). Thisthesis takes a deeper dive into the creative context by also exploring the linkbetween 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, articulateand reinforce their values in a culture through primary and secondaryleadership mechanisms. By merging creativity theory and Schein’s (2010,1990) mechanisms this thesis presents an analytical framework for examiningentrepreneurial leadership’s influence on the context for creativity. Our research question is: How does Entrepreneurial Leadership Influence theContext for Creativity at Åpent Bakeri?The research is designed as an exploratory case study. Qualitative data iscollected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews at all levels at ÅpentBakeri. The exploratory nature of our study allow us to piece togetherinformation, gaining a deeper understanding of creativity in Åpent Bakeri andhow it is influenced by its entrepreneurial leadership.MAJOR FINDINGSThe major findings of our research are that the entrepreneurs at Åpent Bakerihelp 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 workenvironment conductive to communication and humour. Second, theyencourage diversity through symbolising and recruiting people from differentbackgrounds and nationalities. Third, they motivate employees throughinspirational role-modelling, challenge, and perceivable freedom; exercisingcontrol on what they believe is crucial for the success of Åpent Bakeri, whileallowing employees to feel free in their day-to-day tasks at work.All through they cannot be accredited for everything that is creative at ÅpentBakeri, the entrepreneurs create a context where norms dictate that creativebehaviour is allowed; sometimes even expected.