Creative Thinking and Problem Solving for Managers: Wicked Problems

This essay explores the concept of 'wicked' problems, defined as complex social and cultural issues difficult or impossible to solve, and their usefulness to managers in fostering creativity and innovative solutions. It highlights how design thinking can be instrumental in tackling these problems, leading to productivity and growth opportunities for organizations. The essay uses the example of 'Foodie danger' faced by Tesco as a 'wicked' problem, illustrating the challenges the company faces due to changing consumer health consciousness. The essay concludes that while wicked problems are difficult to solve, they are a common occurrence in organizations, requiring creative and strategic approaches to overcome them. The provided solution is available on Desklib, a platform offering various AI-based study tools and solved assignments for students.

CREATIVE THINKING AND
PROBLEM SOLVING FOR MANAGERS

TABLE OF CONTENT
• Introduction
• Concept of a “wicked” problem
• Usefulness of a “wicked” problem to a manager
• Problem situation context with chosen organization
• Justifying its identification as a “wicked” problem
• Conclusion
• References

INTRODUCTION
• An organisation cannot run smoothly all the time. It has some of problems which
cannot be solved by their managers and the owners itself. If company is developing
effective strategies then then they could be able to solve from those problems. There
are some of the wicked problems which can be faced by organisation and which is
difficult to solve

CONCEPT OF A “WICKED” PROBLEM
• A wicked problem is the problems of social and cultural
that is having difficult or impossible to solve. It is more
complex and interconnected with the nature. It is a
problem of lack of clarity in both the terms of solutions
and aims. These problems are subjected to the real world
restraint which contains risk free attempts to find a
answer.

USEFULNESS OF A “WICKED” PROBLEM TO A MANAGER
• Wicked problem is sometimes useful for the mangers of an
organisation because it provides creativity and solutions to the
problems by design thinking. It helps the organisation in
development of the productivity and growth opportunities. It is
being said that design thinking is the best innovation which is
needed for tackling the situation of wicked problem. Managers
are seeing various options of design thinking and even ask to
employees so that they could find solutions to the problem.

PROBLEM SITUATION CONTEXT WITH CHOSEN ORGANISATION
• Wicked problem which can be consider in while working is Foodie danger. It is one of
the wicked problem which can be faced by the managers of Tesco. Company trades
are one of the great conflict grounds of modern life. The British company once famous
indifferently to food. They would even take pride in abiding disgustful fare service up
crossways the countries. Today, it is seen that there is a sea change where food is
becoming a benchmark topic of cultural lifelong. It is used with exercise may be diets
or authorities of celebrities.

JUSTIFYING ITS IDENTIFICATION AS A “WICKED” PROBLEM
• The problem of Tesco is Foodie danger is the sector of retailing organisation. This
problem is regarded as the wicked problem because now a days people are more
focusing on their health and becoming a diet conscious.

CONCLUSION
• From the above, it is concluded that wicked problems in an organisation is that which
is difficult to solve. It occurs in every organisation. Within context with the chosen
company, they are facing problem of Foodie danger which cannot be solve.

REFERENCES
• Ledermüller, S., Fick, J. and Jacobs, A., 2021. Perception of the Relevance of Soil
Compaction and Application of Measures to Prevent It among German Farmers.
Agronomy, 11(5), p.969.
• Moscardo, G., 2021. Using Systems Thinking to Improve Tourism and Hospitality
Research Quality and Relevance: A Critical Review and Conceptual Analysis.
Tourism and Hospitality, 2(1), pp.153-172.

Thank you