Performing creativity: Design-thinking amongst Chinese industry employees

In China, the value placed on creativity and creative pursuits is not always rewarded in the context of business. Amongst Chinese industry employees in particular, creativity as an exercise and practice is not widely encouraged or practiced, as factors from the sheer number of workers in a single space to the structure and role of management of companies act as constraints. In a country that has achieved a high rate of economic growth, and is notable for its volume of industrial production, only one company is in the list of 2016 top 100 global innovators.¹ Creativity and innovation have become key to the further development and future success of Chinese enterprises on the global stage and are developing as areas of significant attention at national and company levels. This paper will provide a case study of approximately 100 employees working in the transportation industry, and examine their perceptions, experiences, and performances of creative practices and the use of design-thinking principles. The difference between individual and team in creative design activities has been compared and analyzed. Limitations of the study are also discussed and conclusions are drawn at the end of the paper, with recommendations for future research.