The Benefits of Power Asymmetry on Creativity: The Moderating Effect of Simmelian Friendship Ties

This paper examines the conditions under which power (measured with formal rank) positively influences dyadic creative performance. Previous research has shown that high levels of power are beneficial for individual creativity but detrimental for team creativity suggesting that the positive effect of power on creativity does not aggregate linearly. We propose that power asymmetry, or interactions between individuals of different ranks, can enhance the creative performance of dyads by facilitating the emergence of effective creativity-relevant processes derived from social cues for dominance and deference accrued to hierarchy. Two network studies conducted in a biopharmaceutical company (Study 1; 458 dyadic relationships) and a market research organization (Study 2; 650 dyadic relationships) revealed that power asymmetric dyads are associated with higher levels of creative performance than power symmetric dyads. Moreover, the effect of power asymmetry on dyadic creative performance was found to be negatively moderated by Simmelian friendship ties (i.e., ties embedded in friendship cliques) of the interacting individuals while the direct effect of Simmelian friendship ties was positive. These findings suggest that while hierarchy and communal mechanisms can boost dyadic creative performance the social norms derived from hierarchy may conflict with communal norms that emerge from Simmelian friendship ties reducing role clarity for power asymmetric dyads.