Exploring ways to put creativity into business

Every one of us possesses creative potential. Vladimirs Rojenko believes that creativity can be explored and applied to a working environment only with the guidance of a skilful team leader. He believes this in spite of his practical experience, where he has had to deal with team mates with weak motivation who tend to just ‘sit out’ the workday. In his search for ways in which to ‘switch on’ employees' creativity and mange it effectively, Vladimirs has realised that his knowledge on the subject is too limited and that finding skilled specialists in the field is not easy. Vladimirs has, therefore, started studying in the new Business Administration doctoral study programme at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). 

You have your own business, and you are also active in several scientific institutions and deliver lectures to at RSU – tell me how you are able to find time for your doctoral studies with such a busy schedule? 

Yes, I have a lot to do. The fact that the topic I have chosen for my doctoral studies coincides with my daily activities helps a lot, because I do not need to switch from one activity to another – they blend effortlessly. That is my best recommendation for future doctoral students.  

I have seen a lack of interest in employees, low motivation and people just ‘sitting out’ the working day instead of getting involved in the business, the team and resolving challenging issues. When I tried to resolve the issue in my business, I came to understand that I do not have the necessary knowledge, and that there aren’t many specialists in the field. That became my motivation to take up doctoral studies, and to research the subject for myself. I do not doubt that each one of us has an enormous creative potential, the only question is how a manager can unlock and channel it to align with a company's objectives.

What progress have you made in your search for a solution?

It is rather premature to talk about conclusions or results at the beginning of the first semester. I have been working on developing an idea and the appropriate methodology with the help of lecturers and the research supervisor. With assistance from the RSU administration and lecturers I have already conducted several interviews with leading experts and managers practising in the field of medicine. I started studying with the idea that my thesis would be called ‘Managing Creativity in Latvian Medical Technology Start-Ups,’ but I can already tell you that I will have to adjust or change the title over the course of my research. 

Your own motivation is clear, but how is this issue relevant to a wider public, in your opinion? Why is it important to research this?

Managing creativity is especially relevant nowadays, because the ability to mobilise people's internal resources, and to find and implement new, unique ideas creates a foundation for building a sustainable competitive advantage. I intend to develop a tool that will allow managers from any level to manage the creative potential of employees and to direct it to achieve a company's goals. 

Vladimirs Rojenko
Doctoral study programme: Business Administration

Provisional title of doctoral thesis: ‘Managing Creativity in Latvian Medical Technology Start-Ups’
Thesis supervisor: Prof. Dr. oec. Tatjana Muravska