https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/436 2026-04-22T07:52:12Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145780 Title: Studying creativity in the 21st century at the Edward de Bono Institute Authors: Mangion, Margaret; Baldacchino, Leonie; Dingli, Sandra Abstract: In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, global interconnectedness, and the relentless pace of change, the imperative for innovative thinking and creative problem-solving has never been more pressing. The twenty-first century demands a workforce equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the ability to navigate and thrive amidst complexity and ambiguity. It is within this context that the Master in Creativity and Innovation was set up, designed to cultivate the skills and mindsets necessary for leaders and innovators of tomorrow. This mission is similar to the Masters of Innovation, Creativity and Leadership offered by the Bayes Business School, City University of London (see Jones et al. in this volume). 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145510 Title: Commentary : expanding the scope of creativity assessment : integrating everyday creativity to address 21st century complexities Authors: Mangion, Margaret; Baldacchino, Leonie Abstract: The OECD's PISA Creative Thinking (CT) Assessment, introduced as part of the PISA framework in 2022, marks a significant advancement in recognizing creativity as an essential skill for the 21st century. However, as with all new initiatives, a review of the PISA CT 2022 highlights certain limitations that could benefit from refinement in future iterations of the battery to achieve a more comprehensive and ecologically valid understanding of adolescent creative thinking. In this commentary, we argue for an expansion of the PISA CT's focus to include assessment of everyday creativity (EC), which reflects the practical and contextual realities of contemporary life. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145508 Title: Entrepreneurial decision-making and behavior under radical uncertainty : boundaries and boundlessness of diving into the unknown Authors: Bastian, Bob; Baldacchino, Leonie; Gabay-Mariani, Laetitia; Sassetti, Sara; Pellegrini, Massimiliano; Caputo, Andrea Abstract: This editorial introduces radical uncertainty as a multifaceted phenomenon in entrepreneurship that extends beyond traditional risk- uncertainty distinctions. Radical uncertainty involves unpredictable outcomes with epistemic gaps beyond knowable out comes that challenge conventional decision- making models. This Special Issue presents 13 papers examining how entrepreneurs navigate this type of uncertainty through cognitive mechanisms, relational processes, and value- driven strategies. The contributions reveal radical uncertainty as ontological, epistemic, relational, and identity based. As a result, we propose an integrative model that connects the nature of uncertainty to navigation mechanisms and consequential entrepreneurial outcomes. In this way, the papers in the Special Issue advance our understanding of resilience, adaptation, and purpose- driven action to cope with radical uncertainty. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/145507 Title: The effects of the dark and light triad traits on entrepreneurs' coping strategies and psychological well-being Authors: Baldacchino, Leonie; Sassetti, Sara Abstract: Research has often portrayed entrepreneurs in largely positive terms, reflecting their contributions to innovation, employment, and economic growth. At the same time, it is well recognized that entrepreneurial activity can also involve harmful and un ethical behaviors, as evidenced by numerous cases of misconduct among business owners and managers. This darker aspect of entrepreneurship aligns with existing theories on the dual nature of human personality, which posit that people generally possess both dark and light personality traits. Many scholars turned their attention to the “dark triad,” which comprises the traits of Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. This resulted in a somewhat “negative bias” in the broader psychology research, which responded with the introduction of a contrasting “light triad,” comprising the traits of Kantianism, humanism, and faith in humanity. While some authors maintain that more studies on the negative aspects of entrepreneurship are needed, this emphasis appears disproportionate as it largely overlooks the role of prosocial traits in entrepreneurial behavior. This paper addresses this gap in the literature and responds to calls for research that explores both the dark and light triad traits through the following research question: What are the effects of entrepreneurs' dark and light triad traits on their coping strategies and psychological well- being (PWB)? Survey data gathered from 179 entrepreneurs in Malta revealed that the dark triad is associated with maladaptive emotion- based coping strategies, while the light triad is associated with the more adaptive task- based and avoidance- based coping strategies, as well as with positive PWB. This implies that entrepreneurs with darker traits tend to cope with adversity less effectively than those with light traits, who, in turn, enjoy more positive emotions and life satisfaction. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z