Group positive affect diversity and group Creativity: Mediating role of groupthink and moderating role of affective fit perception

This study examines a mediating role of groupthink and a moderating role of affective fit perception in the relationship between group positive affect diversity (GPAD) and group creativity.

The present model was tested by using data collected from 66 workgroups working in four organizations, a total of 293 employees. To examine the proposed moderated mediation effects, I employed the PROCESS macro based on a bootstrapping procedure. This analytic procedure has been commonly used to assess the indirect effect of a mediator that is conditional on the level of a moderator.

Given that affective homogeneity has been found to be detrimental to creativity and innovation, the present study focuses on group positive affect diversity (GPAD). Furthermore, this study investigates groupthink as a mediating mechanism that links GPAD and group creativity. The analysis found empirical support for the mediating role of groupthink between GPAD and group creativity. Results also demonstrated that the indirect effect of GPAD on group creativity via groupthink is significant only when affective fit perception is low. By testing a moderated mediation model, this study illuminates the underlying mechanism and boundary condition affecting group creativity. As expected, the relationship between GAPD and group creativity via groupthink was found to be negatively moderated by affective fit perception.

Unlike prior studies that focus on the social aspects of affectively homogeneous groups, this study examines the possible beneficial effects of affectively diverse groups on group creativity.