Publisher's Synopsis
This book offers a process for conceiving solutions to complex, wicked, messy, swampy or socio-technical problems. When charged with complex problem solving, a useful set of concepts needs to emerge, be agreed, and acted upon. Using relevant examples and solution mapping, Mike Metcalfe explains how pragmatic philosophy can be used as a process for solving such issues.
To explain why and how to formulate reflective, pragmatic, or concept driven problem-solving, this book uses the concepts of:
- Pragmatic inquiry
- Stakeholders' concerns
- Idea networking
- Solution concepts
- Paradoxical outcomes, and
- Intent (with related actions).
This innovative book will be of interest to academics, postgraduate students and managers charged with solving complex social or managerial problems.
Contents: Preface 1. Reflective Thinking 2. Problem-solving as Pragmatic Inquiry 3. Concerns as Default Concepts 4. Collaborative Planning 5. Idea Networking 6. Solution Concepts 7. Concepts as Dialectic Decision Criteria 8. Solution Action Plans 9. Paradoxical Consequences 10. Questioning Action Plans 11. Solutions Mapping 12. Conclusion Appendix 1: Networking Statements
