Challenge stressors and creativity: Moderating effect of emotional intelligence

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between challenge stressors and creativity and the moderating effect of emotional intelligence (EI) on that relationship. A field study was conducted with 179 employees from different service companies, and we also tested the hypotheses in a laboratory sample of 187 undergraduate students. Findings showed an inverted U relationship between both types of challenge stressors'namely, time pressure and work demand'and creativity. Besides, that relationship was flatter for employees with high EI than those with low EI. Under different levels of time pressure, creativity of employees with high EI tended to be unchanged. The research results have implications for both academia and practice.