While there are tests that measure creative or innovative personality, there are a number of inherent flaws. Some are listed below:

a) Whether there is a creative or innovative type is highly debatable. Creativity can be defined as the identification of problems and the generation of ideas: universal skills. Creativity can be defined as the production of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas, and a number of novel ideas: universal skills. Traits are neither stable nor transferable between situations. Motivation is a critical factor.

b) Due to the numerous relevant definitions of creativity and innovation, it is clear that a number of different and distinct competencies are involved. It is unlikely (or rare) that all the competencies are present in a single individual.

c) Creativity is a cognitive and case-dependent process. Not all people produce the same number of ideas on all tasks, and more importantly, the same people do not produce the same number of ideas on all tasks.

d) Too many assumptions are made. Some have been indicated: the assumption that creativity and innovation are stable and transferable between situations; motivation and skills are not taken into account, etc., etc.

e) Collaboration, networking and so on are ignored. Intellectual cross-pollination results in a greater degree of creative output than is produced by individuals alone.

f) The generalizability, variability and reliability of the test parameters can be discussed.

These topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation Creativity and Innovation Management, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation Audit, Good Idea Generating Software, and Power Point presentation) at http: //www.managing-creativity. com.

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