Relationship between Goal Orientation and Employee Creativity: A Mediating Role of Creative Self-Efficacy

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the effect of learning and performance goal orientations on employee creativity through a mediating role of creative self-efficacy. The population of the study consists of all level of managers of commercial banking sector of Pakistan. Through stratified sampling technique a total 400 managers were selected for the study. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire having a five point Likert scale. The study found that both learning and performance goal orientations have positive and significant association with employee creativity. The study also found that creative self-efficacy partially mediates the relationship between goal orientations and employee creativity. The study highlights implications and future research directions. According to psychologists, achievement situations shape the behaviors and interpretation of events when individuals perceived their goals. This is particularly important in situations how individuals respond when they fail in goal achievement or when facing difficult task. According to goal orientation theory, an individual pursues two types of goals, namely learning goal orientation and performance goal orientation. Learning goal orientation pushes for mastery responses from individuals, which seeks to improve their skills by pursuing challenging tasks, whereas a performance orientation drives individuals to avoid difficult and challenging tasks. Thus, employees' goal orientations provide base for employees' creative efforts. Goal orientation