Exploring how enterprise social media usage affects employee creativity: Based on self-determination theory

The present research sheds light on how ESM (Enterprise Social media) usage (social, work) affects employee creativity through primary psychological standards (perceived relatedness, autonomy, and competence). Drawing on self-determination theory (SDT), current research also examines the mediating mechanism of basic psychological needs. Applying structural equation modeling (SEM), 415 samples were analyzed on AMSO 24.0 version. The results illustrated that social, and work-related ESM usage has a significant impact on basic psychological needs. Further, results revealed that perceived relatedness and competence are significant predictors of employee creativity. However, perceived autonomy has an insignificant effect on individual creativity. The present research also analyzed the mediating mechanism of basic psychological needs. Findings confirmed that perceived relatedness and competence mediate the connection between social, work-oriented ESM usage and individual creativity; whereas perceived autonomy did not mediate the link between social, work-oriented ESM usage and employee creativity. This study also has several implications in theory and practice.