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Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings

Item

Title
Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings
Abstract/Description
Networks have assumed a place of prominence in the literature on public and private governing structures. The many positive attributes of networks are often featured—the capacity to solve problems, govern shared resources, create learning opportunities, and address shared goals—and a literature focused on the challenges networks pose for managers seeking to realize these network attributes is developing. The authors share an interest in understanding the potential of networks to govern complex public, or “wicked,” problems. A fundamental challenge to effectively managing any public problem in a networked setting is the transfer, receipt and integration of knowledge across participants. When knowledge is viewed pragmatically, the challenge is particularly acute. This perspective, the authors argue, presents a challenge to the network literature to consider the mind-set of the managers—or collaborative capacity-builders—who are working to achieve solutions to wicked problems. This mind-set guides network managers as they apply their skills, strategies, and tools in order to foster the transfer, receipt, and integration of knowledge across the network and, ultimately, to build long-term collaborative problem-solving capacity.
Date
2008
In publication
Public Administration Review
Volume
68
Issue
2
Pages
334-349
Resource type
en
Medium
en Print
Background/context type
en Conceptual
IRE Approach/Concept
Wicked Problems
Open access/free-text available
en No
Peer reviewed
en Yes
Language
en
ISSN
1540-6210
Citation
Weber, E. P., & Khademian, A. M. (2008). Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings. Public Administration Review, 68(2), 334–349. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6210.2007.00866.x

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Introducing Improvement Research in Education Book Chapter

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