This paper's objective is to show that the network of frequent relationships that is established between agents in coworking environments, through weak ties, increases the generation of ideas. Thus, the present work argues that collaborative spaces can expand individuals' creativity, as they constitute a social hub for exchanging experiences and visions between individuals from different social and professional backgrounds [Blagoev et al. (2019)]. Through frequent relationships and weak ties, these social connections allow individuals to access different levels of insights and inspirations that make it possible to increase their ability to generate ideas [Perry–Smith and Mannucci (2017); Sarooghi et al. (2015)].
We argue that open creativity is an essential means of raising the quantity and quality of the ideas generated and enhancing organizational innovation [Gerlach and Brem (2017)]. Based on the logic of network relationships [Björk and Magnusson (2009); Karlsson and Björk (2017)], our argument states that creativity is increased when individuals use the expertise of others, as a complement to their own skills, to enhance the generation of useful ideas [Caccamo (2020)].
This study discusses operational protocols that favor the occurrence of open creativity and presents empirical evidence to support this argument. Our results show connections with external agents in the investigated coworking environments, namely individuals from different backgrounds who have weak ties and establish infrequent relationships with each other, enhancing creativity. Accordingly, this research is essential to advancing our knowledge of means by which relationships established outside the organization can contribute to expanding creativity. With this knowledge, managers can develop collaborative strategies with outside agents to increase organizational creativity and innovation [Zhou and Li (2012)].
Properly led, this study could provide a framework for researchers opening a new frontier in understanding innovation, presently only viewed from the perspective of creative collaboration. This analysis remains essential for managers, as it leverages knowledge about open creativity and thus enables the generation of insights to support management decisions that enhance innovation and organizational competitiveness.
