Leadership as a Wicked Problem

2017 ◽  
pp. 340-349
Author(s):  
Leslie P. Hitch
Keyword(s):  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Organizational Strategy ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Concrete Solution

In 1973, Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber put forth the term ‘wicked problems' to define situations where there was no concrete solution and where any attempt to ‘solve' the problem often resulted in the spiraling of additional wicked problems. John C. Camillus (2008) expands upon this concept and applied it to what he considered the near-impossibility to design coherent organizational strategy. Further exploration into the literature of wicked problems indicates the budding of new configurations of leadership to address wicked problems. As organizational strategy, in most industries, is inherently connected to leadership, this chapter suggests that the teaching of leadership, described often as one person in control or seen as the primary guide, needs to be revitalized, renewed and redirected as a process. Leadership may no longer be a person or hierarchy in order to contend with the wicked problems mounting in many industries, organizations, governments and society. The chapter concludes with suggestions on ways to teach leadership that are based upon Rittel and Webber's 10 characteristics of wicked problems.

scholarly journals Strategic Responses to Wicked Problems of Heritage Management: Experiences from the West Link Infrastructure Project in Gothenburg, Sweden

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1032
Author(s):  
Susanne Fredholm ◽  
Maitri Dore ◽  
Sara Brorström
Keyword(s):  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Strategic Responses ◽  
The West ◽  
Infrastructure Planning ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Working Groups ◽  
Strategy As Practice

Heritage management in infrastructure planning is in this paper regarded as a ‘wicked problem’—a multidimensional and unpredictable activity infused with conflicting stakeholder perspectives. By focusing on the West Link and drawing on theoretical notions of strategy-as-practice, the aim is to identify the circumstances in which paradoxes and dilemmas of wicked problems emerge and examine the professional micro-level strategizing applied to navigate and overcome them. The railway construction was deemed to be a threat to the 17th century fortifications, historical parks and former agricultural properties, today located in the city center. The Swedish government appointed representatives from the Swedish Transport Administration and heritage professionals from national, regional and local levels of government to negotiate how best to deal with these challenges. By means of primary data from interviews and workshops with stakeholders, and document- and correspondence analysis, the results showed how three main challenges hampered a fruitful dialogue and outcome: the inherent complexity of the task, different approaches to heritage and lack of adequate coordination within and between the parties. Strategic responses included action plans, delegation of tasks in reference and working groups, the signing of agreements, reorganization and financing of additional personnel. We discuss the main factors underlining the wickedness of heritage management in infrastructure planning as both processual and collaborative, and the implications of this for practice regarding bringing about more operative and sustainable approaches.

Solving the Wicked Problems of the Anthropocene

2019 ◽  
pp. 54-82
Author(s):  
Kelvin McQueen
Keyword(s):  
Educational Research ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Research Paradigm ◽  
Current Crisis

As a research paradigm, Marx's insights can be used to grapple with the ‘wicked problem' of the Anthropocene: to explain the current crisis; judge the various scholarly representations of it; and point towards a transcendence of the ‘problem'. In the same vein, this chapter seeks to provide a Marxist paradigm for educational research in the era of the Anthropocene. The chapter thus identifies two ‘wicked problems' and suggests solutions: firstly, the urgent need for a robust and plausible paradigm for programs of educational research seeking to discover, analyse and understand the dynamics of the Anthropocene from the micro-political to the macro-political, which Marx's paradigm provides; secondly, a guide to the type of action needed to make educational institutions democratic and sustainable and part of the solution to the ‘wicked problem' of the Anthropocene, rather than sites that reproduce a workforce ready to be exploited and oppressed, which Marx's paradigm also provides.

The wicked problem of teaching about wicked problems: Design thinking and emerging technologies in sustainability education

2020 ◽  
pp. 135050762097485
Author(s):  
Andrew G. Earle ◽  
Dante I. Leyva-de la Hiz
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Sustainability Education ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
System Level ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Thinking Process

In this paper, we explore the system-level challenges found in sustainability-focused education and consider how the intersections of design thinking and emerging technologies in augmented and virtual reality (AVR) can help address these. More specifically, we highlight the role of experiences across the design thinking process for generating novel solutions to the types of “wicked” problems with which students engage in sustainability education. We then use this as motivation, along with concepts from experiential learning and design thinking research, to develop a conceptual model in which AVR can integrate with more established instructional methods to help make sustainability-related challenges more salient, proximate, and tractable to students. Our conceptual model suggests that AVR holds promise for facilitating and democratizing access to the design thinking process for sustainability-related challenges, but that it is also not a standalone solution for enabling students to engage with such complex challenges.

scholarly journals Uncovering wicked problem’s system structure: seeing the forest for the trees

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann-Marie Kennedy ◽  
Sommer Kapitan ◽  
Neha Bajaj ◽  
Angelina Bakonyi ◽  
Sean Sands
Keyword(s):  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Social Mechanisms ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Develop Strategy

Purpose This paper aims to use systems thinking, systems theory and Camillus’ framework for responding to wicked problems to provide social marketers with a theoretically based framework for approaching strategy formation for wicked problems. The paper treats fast fashion as an illustrative case and takes a step back from implementation to provide a framework for analysing and gaining understanding of wicked problem system structure for social marketers to then plan more effective interventions. The proposed approach is intended as a theory-based tool for social marketing practitioners to uncover system structure and analyse the wicked problems they face. Design/methodology/approach Following Layton, this work provides theoretically based guidelines for analysing the black box of how to develop and refine strategy as first proposed in Camillus’ (2008) framework for responding to wicked issues. Findings The prescription thus developed for approaching wicked problems’ system structure revolves around identifying the individuals, groups or entities that make up the system involved in the wicked problem, and then determining which social mechanisms most clearly drive each entity and which outcomes motivate these social mechanisms, before determining which role the entities play as either incumbent, challenger or governance and which social narratives drive each role’s participation in the wicked problem. Originality/value This paper shows that using systems thinking can help social marketers to gain big picture thinking and develop strategy for responding to complex issues, while considering the consequences of interventions.

Why, Exactly, Is Climate Change a Wicked Problem?

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 226-242
Author(s):  
Ernst M. Conradie
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Social Engineering ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Climate Engineering ◽  
Moral Dimensions

Abstract This contribution explores the assertion that climate change may be described as a “wicked problem.” It notes that the term was introduced in the context of the management sciences where a managerial ethos prevailed and where moral connotations were excluded. Subsequent references to climate change as a wicked problem maintained both these features. Yet, if climate change not only poses technological, economic, and political problems but also has moral and, indeed, spiritual challenges—as is widely maintained—then such moral connotations cannot be avoided. The description of a problem as wicked then becomes part of the problem. It is argued that the term is best understood as one used in jest, so that if we seek to define a problem’s wickedness in a conceptually precise way, we are missing the joke. The major moral dimensions of the challenges posed by climate changes should be taken seriously, but perhaps there is no need to take the term wicked problems all that seriously. What should not be laughed off is the managerial ethos that presumes that the challenges posed by climate changes can be addressed “exactly” through climate engineering or even social engineering.

Towards a general hybrid theory in wicked problem structuring part 1: the foundation

Kybernetes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Yolles
Keyword(s):  
General Theory ◽  
Agency Theory ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Problem Structuring ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Autonomous Agency ◽  
Relational Paradigm

Purpose This paper has two parts, namely, Part 1 and Part 2. The purpose of this paper (Part 1) is to explain an adaptive relational paradigm that can efficaciously respond to the complex issues in wicked problems. A relational paradigm can work across the disciplines and fields that characterise wicked problems. It is also methodologically plural – that is it uses various inquiry instruments together. It becomes a hybrid approach when involving narratives and structured processes enabling the adopted instruments to converge to a coherent (living) story. The purpose of Part 2 will be to provide a theoretical framework that with illustration responds to Part 1. Design/methodology/approach Wicked problems and their issues do not respect academic disciplines, and as they are multidisciplinary, they require a cross-disciplinary approach when seeking resolution. Autonomous agency theory is adopted capable of structuring cross-disciplinary inquiry processes and formulating a hybrid inquiry paradigm. The paper sets up a narrative agency approachable of delivering a structure that results in a general theory of hybrid inquiry. Findings The paradigm, which traditionally defines a field of study conceptualises and regulates approaches that enable inquiry into behavioural systems. Mono-disciplinary, they are not suitable for the resolution of issues that arise from cross-disciplinary wicked problems. To resolve this, a relational paradigm has been defined within which sits a cross-disciplinary hybrid inquiry system. A general theory of hybrid inquiry has been offered. It is shown that agency theory can successfully embrace a relational paradigm. Research limitations/implications To determine the limitations of this theory there is a need to provide exemplars, which is currently premature. Another outcome is to centre on modes of practice in hybrid inquiry, but there is insufficient space for this here. Originality/value This paper makes an original contribution by formulating a structured approach on the creation of a relational paradigm capable of supporting hybrid inquiry. It also adopts cross-disciplinary theory to make its case for a relational paradigm, recognising that wicked problems are cross-disciplinary. As part of the regulatory process, it connects Rittel’s IBIS schema intended to resolve wicked problems issues and the Johari Window and explains how they would relate. A means is suggested for determining the degree of undecidability of wicked problems issues, and hence, that of the models that inquiry produces. This uses formative characteristics that define a modelling space. The paper also adopts Husserl’s concept or lifeworld, which acts as a channel for complex narrative theory through which regulative processes are enabled.

Wicked Solutions to Wicked Problems? A Christian Ethical Reflection on Synthetic Biology as Nature Conservation

2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-197
Author(s):  
Manitza Kotzé
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Nature Conservation ◽  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Global Justice ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Christian Ethics ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Ethical Reflection

Abstract While a distinction should be made between wicked problems as first defined by Churchman (1967) and Rittel and Webber (1973) and problems that are merely challenging and difficult to solve, in this contribution, I argue that climate change and the resulting destruction of nature could be explained as a wicked problem. One of the proposed solutions to climate change, making use of synthetic biology for nature conservation, has the potential to be classified not only as a wicked solution but as a solution that spawns a number of other wicked problems. I will examine the ethical issues raised by synthetic biology as a wicked solution to this super wicked problem from the perspective of Christian ethics, drawing in particular on the resources available in Christian ecotheology and, specifically, notions of interdependence, relationality, responsible stewardship, and global justice.

scholarly journals Addressing food insecurity: a systemic innovation approach

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Zivkovic
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Online Tool ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systemic Innovation ◽  
Innovation Approach ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to question the utility of addressing food insecurity through food assistance programmes and by separating food security into pillars, and it argues for a systemic innovation and complexity approach. This is achieved by demonstrating that food insecurity is a wicked problem and therefore needs to be addressed holistically. Design/methodology/approach To establish that food insecurity is a wicked problem, characteristics of food insecurity are aligned to characteristics of wicked problems. The need to address wicked problems holistically through a systemic innovation approach and an understanding of complexity theory is discussed by referring to the literature. How to take such an approach for addressing food insecurity is illustrated by describing the use of an online tool that takes a systemic innovation and complexity approach. Findings Given food insecurity is a wicked problem and needs to be addressed holistically, the focus when addressing food insecurity should not be on programmes or pillars. Instead, it needs to be on increasing the coherence and building the adaptive capacity of food insecurity solution ecosystems. Practical implications This paper provides insights into the nature of food insecurity and how to address food insecurity. Originality/value For the first time, this paper aligns characteristics of food insecurity to characteristics of wicked problems and demonstrates how an online tool for systemic innovation can assist food insecurity solution ecosystems to address food insecurity.

scholarly journals Exploring Procedural Decision Support Systems for Wicked Problem Resolution

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carianne Pretorius
Keyword(s):  
Decision Support ◽  
Decision Support Systems ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Procedural Rationality ◽  
Complex Problems

Wicked problems are hyper-complex problems that are not solvable via traditional methods. Some common examples of these include issues such as poverty, climate change, business strategy, and general policy development, which all have high stakes and no straightforward solution. The ambiguity of these problems can be particularly frustrating for the individuals and organizations that encounter them, as the very essence of these problems is elastic and unstable. Additionally, attempts to tame wicked problems tend to be irrevocable — for better or for worse — as the problem itself shifts in unpredictable ways in response. Decision support systems (DSSs) have long been considered a panacea for a number of highly complex problems in light of their potential to store, retrieve, and manipulate information to aid decision making. However, classical DSSs, being originally intended for semi-structured types of problems, are rendered practically impotent in the presence of wicked problems and their associated complexities. Thus, this article investigates the possibility of DSSs that rely on procedural rationality as an alternative strategy for resolving wicked problems. An empirical literature review is utilized to build and present an integrated, descriptive model for the design, development, and use of such DSSs for resolving wicked problems.

scholarly journals From the world of wearable grasses: Vetiver (The use of local place-based knowledge to develop a scalable circular economy that enables positive social impact within the textile industry)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ananya Khare
Keyword(s):  
Textile Industry ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Production Method ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Fast Fashion

<p>Progress is the first instinct for humans, with innovation and problem-solving driving forces within every generation. Sadly, as a part of this process, there has been a lack of recognition or interest in age-old, indigenous, local or place-based knowledge. In contrast to this belief of globalisation, this thesis advocates Indigenous Wisdom as a bridge to solving ‘wicked problems’ of our modern society. Horst Rittel describes wicked problems as interconnected and networked by nature, existing on multiple scales. This research identifies one such a wicked problem of textile pollution. One of the factors contributing to textile pollution is the resulting landfill. Connected to, contributing to or more abruptly put, causing this problem is fast fashion. In 2011 the United Nation Environment Program estimated that without intervention, the rate of consumption for fast fashion would continue to grow up to three-fold by the year 2050. The research explores the need for a durable, economical and more sustainable textile option that can both minimise production waste and is affordable for consumers. Paralleling Transition Design with local placed -based knowledge this research identifies a raw material that is the vetiver grass, a sustainable and straightforward production method, a community that is the inmates of Bhopal Central Jail, and a scalable circular economic model and connect them to make fabric based items for their use or sale and trade beyond their community.</p>

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