Abstract By using scenario questionnaires, this study explores the effect and mechanism of goal frame on individual radical creative intention, and comes up with a goal frame model that predicts individual radical creative intention with a survey on Ph.D. students based on sensemaking theory. Hierarchical regression analysis results reveals that ①when the level of requirement, difficulty and complexity of the current goal is lower/higher than that of the historical goal applied before, an individual may have a goal retrospective frame in which the positive/negative perception is formed, and individuals exhibit higher extent of radical creativity in the positive frames; ②the goal retrospective frame effect on individual’s radical creativity is much stronger when the task goal is relatively easier and among individuals with higher creative self efficacy,③when the extent of implementation of organizational goal from the similar referents (e.g., colleagues) is lower/higher than the individuals’ current performance level, an individual may sensemake a social comparison frame in which the positive/negative perception is perceived, and they exhibit higher extent of radical creative intentions in the positive frames; (4) the social comparing frame effect on individual’s radical creative intentions is much stronger when the task goal is relatively more difficult and among those whose creative self efficacy are lower.
2016, Vol. 13 
