Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity: The Creative Process of Entrepreneurs and Innovators

Abstract

The study examines the creative process of entrepreneurs and innovators. It considers how a number of types of thinking - analytical, analogical, imaginary, intuitive - are involved in creativity and the creative process. It further considers how learning and composite thinking – the integration of the different types of thinking - are incorporated in the creative process. The subsequent analysis covers a number of aspects of creativity and the creative process: 1) attributes, 2) traits, 3) skill, 4) stimulants, 5) process, 6) method and technique, 7) imagination, 8) intuition and the sub-conscious, 9) problem statement, 10) referencing past solutions, 11) the solution space, 12) teams, and 13) factors of success in the market. The prominent role of the intuition and the sub-conscious in creativity is clear. Both the left-brain and right-brain typically contribute to creativity. Perspective formation forms a key component of creativity. There is a semi-formal process to creativity. Both intuition and creativity itself can be developed. Given the array of factors that influence success in the market, it may be questioned whether creativity is essentially a prominent factor of entrepreneurship. Pure or raw creativity by itself is certainly not a sufficient factor of entrepreneurship, but must first be combined with general business sense or acumen to guarantee innovation success.

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Creativity, Creative Thinking, Analytical Thinking, Analogical Thinking, Imaginary Thinking, Intuitive Thinking, Intuition, Sub-Conscious, Learning, Innovativeness, Left-Brain, Right-Brain