Exploring the antecedents of creative deviance: The role of family communication patterns and paradox mindset

Abstract Objective Given the pivotal role that creative deviance can play in fostering low‐input, high‐return outcomes for organizations, this study delves into the antecedents of creative deviance. Background Drawing on family communication patterns theory and social learning theory, we propose that the conversation‐orientation communication pattern in one's family of origin influences employee creative deviance through a paradox mindset, with the conformity orientation communication pattern playing a moderating role. Method Multiwave data were collected from 246 employees in Chinese private enterprises. Family communication patterns and paradox mindset were measured at Time 1; creative deviance was measured at Time 2 (two weeks later). Valid questionnaires totaled 173. Results The results indicate a significant positive relationship between conversation orientation and individual paradox mindset. Furthermore, the individual's paradox mindset mediated the positive relationship between conversation orientation and employee creative deviance. Additionally, the conformity orientation moderated the impact of conversation orientation on paradox mindset and its mediating effect, with both effects being weaker when conformity orientation was high. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that family‐of‐origin experiences shape adult workplace innovation behavior through cognitive mechanisms, extending understanding of how early family socialization influences employees' responses to innovation tensions in organizational settings.