Information technology use and creativity in Chinese public sector employees: Work engagement as a mediator

Abstract

Although an environment conducive to igniting the creativity of employees continues to be promoted in the Chinese public sector, little is yet known about the relationship between the use of information technology (IT) for work in the sector and employee creativity. We obtained data from 232 Chinese public sector employees to examine the relationship of their IT use and their creativity, and the mediating role of work engagement in this relationship. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data. The results show that the employees' IT use for work was positively related to their creativity through the mediator of work engagement. Thus IT use for work enhanced work engagement, and this, in turn, facilitated creativity. Our study offers practical guidance for the enhancement of employee creativity in the Chinese public sector.