This dissertation is concerned with creativity and productivity in unpredictable and uncertain environments, and more specifically with creativity as means of self-actualisation and contribution to society. The literature review primarily deals with the works of Ralph Stacey on complexity, Mihaly Csíkszentmihályi on positive psychology and ‘flow’, Teresa Amabile on the three components of creativity, and Vona du Toit on creative ability theory. Case studies on four individuals functioning on high levels of creative ability investigated the practices, disciplines and mantras that they employed trough semi-structured interviews. The understanding of the individual’s capacity for sustained effort is represented by an action learning cycle, enabling that individual to sustainably function on the next level of creative ability where he demonstrates refined skills as expressed in relational contact with people, concepts and materials. The dissertation culminates in a conceptual practice model suggesting the causal mechanisms between critical variables in the process.
Grobler, A, (2009) Masters dissertation, University of Cape Town. South Africa.