Turning to the dark side: Challenging the hegemonic positivity of the creativity discourse

Abstract

<p>Using a Laclauian discourse approach this paper challenges the hegemony of articulations framing creativity as<br>good, necessary, and as a source of valuable outcomes for organizations and individuals. Instead, this paper<br>argues that creativity has a ‘dark side’, referring to that which is harmful and may result in pain, loss or suffering.<br>We analyze and expose the hegemonic positivity of the creativity discourse within organization studies and<br>discuss the implications of this hegemony. We conclude that the dark side of creativity has been subverted in the<br>discourse and requires further scholarly exploration. To promote a greyer research agenda of creativity in organizations, we offer three theorizations of the dark side of creativity as antagonisms to the hegemony – the<br>individual, collective, and critical. By challenging the hegemonic positivity of creativity and by providing a<br>number of research imaginaries, this paper invites scholars to broaden the discourse and to embrace a more<br>greyer understanding of creativity in organization studies.<br></p>