Date of Award

5-2025

Access Control

Open Access

Degree Name

Creative Studies, M.S.

Department

Creative Studies

Advisor

Dr. Melodi Ozyaprak

Department Home page

https://suny.buffalostate.edu/programs/creative-studies

First Reader

Dr. Melodi Ozyaprak

Abstract

This project explores strategies for enhancing front-line innovation within federal agencies through employee engagement with the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services Innovation Portal. Rooted in the principles of creative leadership and intrinsic motivation, the project addresses persistent barriers to innovation in federal settings, such as bureaucratic inertia and a lack of feedback mechanisms for idea submissions. Utilizing the Creative Problem Solving (CPS) model and a modified 21st-century facilitation framework, the project team designed and implemented an engagement program that included informational briefings and targeted newsletters. Quantitative data from website analytics and idea submissions were analyzed using paired t-tests and percentage increase calculations before and after the intervention. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in idea submissions following the intervention, though website traffic did not show a corresponding rise. These findings suggest employee awareness and perceived leadership support are critical to driving engagement in innovation platforms. The project contributes to the literature on creativity in government and demonstrates the potential of field-level initiatives to influence organizational climate. Implications for sustaining innovation include continued messaging campaigns, leadership advocacy, and replicating the engagement model in other federal contexts.

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