Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

12-2017

Abstract

This article investigates how Singaporeans' creativity is influenced by Kiasu, an indigenous construct corresponding to fear of losing out. We examine the impact of Kiasu on creativity, both as a personal value and a shared cultural norm in four studies. Study 1 showed that Singaporeans' Kiasu value endorsement predicts lower individual creativity. Study 2 demonstrated that this negative relationship is mediated by a self-regulatory focus on prevention. Study 3 further showed the impact of Kiasu as a personal value and a cultural norm by finding a significant three-way interaction effect of Kiasu prime, personal Kiasu value endorsement, and need for cognitive closure on participants' creativity. Study 4 addressed the Singaporean paradox and found that Singaporeans exhibit higher creativity when primed with their multi-ethnic culture than under control conditions. However, those who associated Singapore with Kiasu lost this advantage. These findings support the situated dynamics framework of cultural influence on behavior such that values, norms, and situational cues play a role in producing a cultural pattern of creative performance. This research also has implications for how to incubate creative performance in Asian countries.

Keywords

culture, creativity, Kiasu, need for cognitive closure, prevention focus, Singapore, Singaporean culture

Discipline

Asian Studies | International and Intercultural Communication | Multicultural Psychology

Research Areas

Psychology

Publication

Management and Organization Review

Volume

13

Issue

4

First Page

871

Last Page

894

ISSN

1740-8776

Identifier

10.1017/mor.2017.41

Publisher

Wiley: 24 months - No Online Open / Cambridge University Press (CUP): HSS Journals - No Cambridge Open

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1017/mor.2017.41

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