Challenging work as a mediator of the relationship between time pressure and employee creativity in R&D organizations

This study examines the effects of time pressure on R&D employees¿ creativity as well as whether challenging work mediates the positive relationship between time pressure and creativity. Longitudinal data are collected from 187 R&D employees at a national research institution in Taiwan across two periods of time. Results of path analysis using structural equation modeling indicate that time pressure retards employees creativity. Furthermore, when people perceive time pressure and make the job more challenging, there can be a positive relationship to employee creativity. Implications and suggestions for researchers and practitioners are provided in the end of this paper.