Collective creativity beyond time constraints: the role of lived temporal experience in online creative work

This study investigates how temporal structures shape creative processes in teams by distinguishing between structural time, interactional dynamics, and subjective temporal experience. Drawing on rhythmanalysis and team temporal dynamics, we examine how imposed temporal constraints and perceived time influence both individual and collective creativity. Using a between-subjects experimental design (N = 171), participants were assigned to four conditions manipulating time pressure (constrained vs. relaxed) and guidance (guided vs. unguided). Measures included individual and collective flow, temporal climate, cognitive load, perceived creativity, and expert-rated creativity. Results indicate that structural conditions did not significantly affect collective flow or creative outcomes. However, perceived time significantly influenced individual flow, temporal climate, and perceived creativity. Correlation analyses further revealed that collective flow is the strongest predictor of perceived creativity, while objective creativity measures were not associated with subjective experience. These findings highlight a dissociation between structural and lived temporalities and suggest that creativity in teams is driven less by imposed time constraints than by interactional and experiential rhythms. The study contributes to a process-oriented understanding of creativity by integrating temporal coordination and rhythmanalysis perspectives.