scholarly journals Wicked problems, wicked play

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dulmini Perera
Keyword(s):  
Second Generation ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Wicked Problems ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Design Methods ◽  
Wicked Problem ◽  
Problem Situations

Design methods need to reconsider ways to avoid othering messiness (or what appears to be contradictory or nonsensical) within wicked problem situations, particularly crisis sites. As such, this paper suggests that play frames (defined as Fun Machines) can be utilised as situated strategies that designers can apply to address paradoxes and contradictions. The paper presents the theoretical framework for a Fun Machine by focusing on second-generation design methods and how they facilitate conversation, while simultaneously exploring an often-neglected playful aspect of conversation that is usually found in fun-making. The applications of a Fun Machine are discussed in the historical context (Cedric Price’s Fun Palace) and with a pilot project conducted at a contemporary crisis site (Dessau).  

Imperial Presidency and the Neo-patrimonialization of Disorder in post-Authoritarian Nigeria

1970 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-77
Author(s):  
Adeniyi S. Basiru
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
The Political ◽  
Colonial State ◽  
Imperial Presidency ◽  
Political Struggles ◽  
Presidential Democracies ◽  
Data Source ◽  
Public Disorder

The president and the network of offices that are linked to him, in modern presidential democracies, symbolize a neutral state that does not meddle in order-threatening political struggles. It however seems that this liberal ideal is hardly the case in many illiberal democracies. Against this background, this article examines the presidential roots of public disorder in post-military Nigeria. Drawing on documentary data source and deploying neo-patrimonial theory as theoretical framework, it argues that the presidency in Nigeria, given the historical context under which it has emerged as well as the political economy of neo-patrimonialism and prebendalism that has nurtured it, is a central participant in the whole architecture of public disorder. The paper recommends, among others, the fundamental restructuring of the Nigerian neo-colonial state and the political economy that undergird it.Keywords: Imperial Presidency; Neo-patrimonialism; Disorder; Authoritarianism; Nigeria.

scholarly journals Die godsdienshistoriese agtergrond van die Nuwe Testament: Kommentaar op 'n onlangse publikasie

2001 ◽  
Vol 57 (1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan C. Thom
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Religious Traditions ◽  
Recent Introduction ◽  
General Orientation ◽  
Close Interaction ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
Historic Background ◽  
Ancient Texts

The religio-historic background of the New Testament: Commentary on a recent publication. The religiohistoric background of the NT is of cardinal importance for its interpretation; however, it is far from easy for New Testament scholars to attain a thorough knowledge of this background. What is needed is not only a broad, general orientation, but also first-hand interaction with texts in which Graeco-Roman religious traditions themselves appear and are expressed. But available introductions are either too general or do not offer a satisfactory theoretical framework for understanding textual materials within context. Hans-Josef Klauck's recent introduction to the religio-historical context of the  NT, by presenting not only an "external", theoretical but also an "intemal" perspective emanating from close interaction with the ancient texts themselves, satisfies to an exceptional degree the requirements mentioned above.

Segmented Assimilation: Issues, Controversies, and Recent Research on the New Second Generation

1997 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 975-1008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Research ◽  
Theoretical Approach ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
The State ◽  
Assimilation Theory ◽  
Segmented Assimilation ◽  
Host Society ◽  
Future Studies

The segmented assimilation theory offers a theoretical framework for understanding the process by which the new second generation – the children of contemporary immigrants – becomes incorporated into the system of stratification in the host society and the different outcomes of this process. This article examines the issues and controversies surrounding the development of the segmented assimilation theory and reviews the state of recent empirical research relevant to this theoretical approach. It also highlights main conclusions from recent research that bear on this theory and their implications for future studies.

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.

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.

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.

Theorizing Excess and the Abject

Making Icons ◽  
2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Coates
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Julia Kristeva ◽  
National Identities ◽  
The Spectator ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Impact

This chapter establishes a theoretical framework for chapter 7, which deals with characterizations and tropes that resist categorization. Using Art Historical theorizations of the abject, including the work of Hal Foster and Julia Kristeva, abject bodies and national identities are explored in the historical context of early post-war Japan. The impact of abject imagery on the spectator is hypothesized using Ella Shohat and Robert Stam’s account of the ‘schizophrenic spectator.’ Case studies include Teshigahara Hiroshi’s Woman of the Dunes (Suna no onna, 1964).

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.

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