Wicked Problems
Implications for Public Policy and Management
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 5772004 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Bessie Head (0000-0002-9915-0628, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia), Jonathan Alford (0009-0006-0195-4414, The University of Melbourne), John Alford (University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pages | 711-739 |
| Publication date | 2013-03-28 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Administration & Society (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0095-3997 • E-ISSN: 1552-3039 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0095399713481601 |
| OpenAlex | W2001330817 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 436 |
| References cited | 72 |
The concept of "wicked problems" has attracted increasing focus in policy research, but the implications for public organizations have received less attention. This article examines the main organizational and cognitive dimensions emerging from the research literature on wicked problems. We identify several recent approaches to addressing problem complexity and stakeholder divergence based on the literatures on systems thinking, collaboration and coordination, and the adaptive leadership roles of public leaders and managers. We raise some challenges for public management in some key functional areas of government-strategy making, organizational design, people management, and performance measurement. We argue that provisional solutions can be developed, despite the difficulties of reforming governance processes to address wicked problems more effectively
Divergence (linguistics · Systems thinking · Wicked problem · Complex Systems and Decision Making · Construction Project Management and Performance · Public Policy and Administration Research
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Explaining patterns of co-creation in Swiss local governance
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Bridging the gap
Collaborative water governance model for potable urban water supply in Riau Province, Indonesia
Teacher strategies that foster students’ boundary-crossing expertise when addressing problems with wicked tendencies
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The Critical Role of Understanding Epistemic Practices in Science Teaching Using Wicked Problems
An Examination of State Statutes and School District Policies Addressing Minors With Do Not Resuscitate Orders
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Whose responsibility is it anyway? Exploring the tutoring policy landscape in Australia using the Peters framework
Wicked multi-problems (Covid-19 + Oil Spill + wildFires) in Brazil and their effects on socioeconomic vulnerability
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Collaborative Planning
Working Across Boundaries
Collaboration in public policy and practice
Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences
Leadership Without Easy Answers
Measuring the Performance of the Hollow State
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The reflective practitioner
Agendas, alternatives, and public policies
Public management
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The Honest Broker
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Working Across Boundaries
Privatization
Cities and Complexity
Three Lenses of Evidence‐Based Policy
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Public Value Management
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The New Governance
Network Structures
The Design and Implementation of Cross‐Sector Collaborations
The Limitations of Public Management Networks
The Separation/Specification Dilemma in Contracting
Citizen participation and the democratization of policy expertise
A critique of transformational leadership
Still Muddling, Not Yet Through
Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings
Ungovernability
Complexity, 'practical rationality' and evidence-based policy making
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| Unique citing works | 436 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 36,33 |
| Citation span | 2014 - 2026 (13) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | Yes |
| Citation types | Neutral: 427 |