Individual creativity in teams: The importance of communication media mix

We use compensatory adaptation and dual coding theories to explore the effects of communication media use on creativity. Our field study results show that high levels of self-esteem and information-based demographic differences positively influence creativity. Social category differences negatively influence creativity. Communication media mix is an important moderator, improving the relationship of self-esteem and social category demographic differences with creativity when individuals have proportionally more mediated communication. The relationship between information-based demographic differences and creativity is attenuated when individuals use proportionally more mediated communication. The results have implications for managers encouraging creativity among a diverse workforce using multiple communication media.