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Can we solve wicked problems? A conceptual framework and a collective intelligence system to support problem analysis and solution design for complex social issues

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  • Elia, Gianluca
  • Margherita, Alessandro

Abstract

Wicked problems are complex and multifaceted issues that have no single solution, and are perceived by different stakeholders through contrasting views. Examples in the social context include climate change, poverty, energy production, sanitation, sustainable cities, pollution and homeland security. Extant research has been addressed to support open discussion and collaborative decision making in wicked scenarios, but complexities derive from the difficulty to leverage multiple contributions, coming from both experts and non-experts, through a structured approach. In such view, we present a conceptual framework for the study of wicked problem solving as a complex and multi-stakeholder process. Afterwards, we describe an integrated system of tools and associated operational guidelines aimed to support collective problem analysis and solution design. The main value of the article is to highlight the relevance of collective approaches in the endeavor of wicked problem resolution, and to provide an integrated framework of activities, actors and purposeful tools.

Suggested Citation

  • Elia, Gianluca & Margherita, Alessandro, 2018. "Can we solve wicked problems? A conceptual framework and a collective intelligence system to support problem analysis and solution design for complex social issues," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 279-286.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:133:y:2018:i:c:p:279-286
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2018.03.010
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Natasha Kunesch & Risa Morimoto, 2019. "The “wickedness†of trashing the plastics age: limitations of government policy in the case of the Philippines," Working Papers 231, Department of Economics, SOAS University of London, UK.
    2. Ren, Jie & Han, Yue & Genc, Yegin & Yeoh, William & Popovič, Aleš, 2021. "The boundary of crowdsourcing in the domain of creativity✰," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 165(C).
    3. Judit Oláh & József Popp & Szabolcs Duleba & Anna Kiss & Zoltán Lakner, 2021. "Positioning Bio-Based Energy Systems in a Hypercomplex Decision Space—A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-23, July.
    4. Ilse Hellemans & Amanda J. Porter & Damla Diriker, 2022. "Harnessing digitalization for sustainable development: Understanding how interactions on sustainability‐oriented digital platforms manage tensions and paradoxes," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(2), pages 668-683, February.
    5. Livermore, David & Van Dyne, Linn & Ang, Soon, 2022. "Organizational CQ: Cultural intelligence for 21st-century organizations," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 65(5), pages 671-680.
    6. Dedi I. Inan & Ghassan Beydoun & Biswajeet Pradhan, 2022. "Disaster Management Knowledge Analysis Framework Validated," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 2077-2097, December.
    7. Dedi I. Inan & Ghassan Beydoun & Siti Hajar Othman & Biswajeet Pradhan & Simon Opper, 2022. "Developing Reusable COVID-19 Disaster Management Plans Using Agent-Based Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    8. Scholz, Roland W. & Köckler, Heike & Zscheischler, Jana & Czichos, Reiner & Hofmann, Klaus-Markus & Sindermann, Cornelia, 2024. "Transdisciplinary knowledge integration PART II: Experiences of five transdisciplinary processes on digital data use in Germany," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    9. Rodrigo Valencia Cotera & Sabine Egerer & María Máñez Costa, 2022. "Identifying Strengths and Obstacles to Climate Change Adaptation in the German Agricultural Sector: A Group Model Building Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-19, February.
    10. Gianluca Elia & Alessandro Margherita & Claudio Petti, 2020. "Building responses to sustainable development challenges: A multistakeholder collaboration framework and application to climate change," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2465-2478, September.
    11. Nafari, Javid & Honig, Benson & Siqueira, Ana Cristina O., 2024. "Promoting academic social intrapreneurship: Developing an international virtual incubator and fostering social impact," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).

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