Journal of Loomingulisus ja Innovatsioon

Librarian as Innovator: Redesigning Library Services through Participatory Co-Creation Models

2025-08-08T17:15:44+07:00

Libraries are increasingly recognized as dynamic knowledge hubs that must adapt to rapidly changing user expectations and technological advancements. The traditional service-oriented model of librarianship is no longer sufficient to address the complex and evolving needs of diverse user communities. This study aims to explore how librarians function as innovators by implementing participatory co-creation models to redesign library services. A mixed-method research approach was employed, combining a systematic review of 68 empirical studies with multiple case studies from academic and public libraries. Data were collected through document analysis, interviews, and focus group discussions, and were analyzed using thematic coding and cross-case synthesis. Findings reveal that participatory co-creation models foster a culture of innovation, enabling libraries to develop services that are user-centered, technologically integrated, and socially inclusive. The evidence demonstrates that collaborative approaches increase community engagement, enhance digital literacy programs, and expand the relevance of library services in the digital era. This study concludes that librarians, when positioned as co-creators and facilitators of innovation, can transform libraries into participatory spaces that respond effectively to local and global challenges. Recommendations highlight the need to institutionalize co-creation practices as a strategic framework for sustainable library development.

Digital Storytelling for Social Inclusion: A Qualitative Study with Marginalized Youth

2025-08-08T16:36:57+07:00

Digital storytelling has emerged as a powerful pedagogical and social tool, enabling marginalized youth to articulate their experiences, build digital literacy, and foster a sense of belonging in increasingly mediated societies. Social exclusion continues to affect vulnerable groups by limiting their opportunities for participation and self-expression, which in turn impacts personal identity and community integration. This study aims to explore how digital storytelling can be employed as an inclusive practice to promote voice, agency, and connection among marginalized youth. A qualitative research design was adopted, using a multiple case study approach with 45 participants from diverse disadvantaged backgrounds, including urban slum communities and rural low-income settings. Data were collected through participatory workshops, semi-structured interviews, and observation, and analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that the process of creating and sharing digital stories enables participants to express personal narratives, develop confidence, enhance collaborative skills, and foster empathy within their peer networks. The study concludes that digital storytelling, when designed as a participatory and reflective practice, can contribute significantly to social inclusion by strengthening the visibility, resilience, and sense of belonging of marginalized youth. The study highlights the need for educators and community organizations to integrate digital storytelling into inclusive educational and community development strategies.

Emotional Intelligence and Creative Problem Solving in Business Leaders: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

2025-08-16T16:32:27+07:00

Emotional intelligence has increasingly been recognized as a critical factor influencing leadership effectiveness and the capacity for creative problem solving in complex business environments. This study aims to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence and creative problem-solving skills among business leaders by developing and testing a structural equation model. Data were collected from 362 senior managers across diverse industries through standardized instruments measuring emotional intelligence dimensions and creative problem-solving abilities. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze direct and indirect relationships between these constructs. The results revealed that emotional intelligence significantly and positively influences creative problem solving, with self-awareness and emotional regulation emerging as the strongest predictors. Indirect effects were also found, indicating that social awareness and relationship management enhance problem-solving outcomes through their influence on decision-making flexibility. The study concludes that leadership development programs emphasizing emotional intelligence can enhance creative capacities, supporting organizational adaptability and long-term competitiveness.

The Role of AI in Personalized Learning: Enhancing Creative Thinking in Online Classrooms

2025-08-08T16:43:03+07:00

The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has transformed the dynamics of online learning, creating opportunities for personalized learning pathways. However, the potential of AI to enhance creative thinking skills among students remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the role of AI-driven personalized learning systems in fostering creative thinking in online classrooms. A quantitative research design with a quasi-experimental approach was applied, involving 240 university students enrolled in fully online courses. The experimental group used AI-powered adaptive learning platforms, while the control group participated in conventional online learning. Data were collected through creative thinking tests and analyzed using ANCOVA to measure the impact of the intervention. The findings indicate that AI-based personalization significantly improves students’ creative thinking, particularly in generating novel ideas, problem-solving flexibility, and originality of responses. The study concludes that AI can serve as an effective catalyst for promoting creativity in digital learning environments by tailoring content, pace, and feedback to individual learners. This research provides evidence for integrating AI tools in designing student-centered online learning models that emphasize creativity as a 21st-century skill.

Collaborative Creativity in Remote Work Teams: A Network Analysis of Digital Brainstorming Sessions

2025-08-16T15:41:26+07:00

The shift to remote work has transformed the way teams engage in creative processes, making digital collaboration tools central to brainstorming and innovation. This study aims to investigate the dynamics of collaborative creativity in remote work settings by analyzing patterns of interaction during digital brainstorming sessions. A mixed-methods network analysis approach was employed, combining social network analysis with qualitative content analysis to map communication structures and creative idea flow across 18 virtual teams composed of 162 participants from diverse professional backgrounds. Data were collected from 54 recorded online brainstorming sessions conducted over a period of three months. Results indicate that teams with more decentralized interaction networks and balanced participation demonstrated higher levels of creative idea generation and convergence. Findings further reveal that the quality of creative outputs is influenced not only by individual contributions but also by the connectivity and diversity of collaborative ties within the team. The study concludes that fostering inclusive and distributed patterns of interaction is key to enhancing creativity in virtual environments.