Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives: Use of capacity of creativity and innovation plays an important role in improving the quality of services in universities of medical sciences. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of investigating and determining individual and organizational factors affecting the improvement of creativity and innovation in the staff of Qom University of Medical Sciences as well as providing a solution for its operationalization.

Methods: This research was carried out as a descriptive survey in 2015. The statistical population consisted of all the staff of the Qom University of Medical Sciences (n=4712), of whom 355 subjects were selected by cluster random method. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire. This questionnaire consisted of demographic characteristics and the factors affecting creativity and innovation. Data were analyzed using one-sample t-, independent two-sample t-, one-way ANOVA, paired-mean, Friedman ranking, and Wilcoxon post-hoc tests.

Results: The effect of all individual and organizational factors on the improvement of creativity and innovation of the staff of Qom University of Medical Sciences, was estimated higher than medium level (μ>3). Also, the effect of individual factors on creativity with a mean of 4.23±0.48 and on innovation with a mean of 4.33±0.55 was more than the effect of organizational factors.

Conclusion: According to the findings, to increase creativity and innovation in universities of medical sciences, all individual and organizational factors should be considered through necessary planning and more attention should be paid to individual factors that play more important role.