What Is Wicked Problem, How to Reduce Household Waste - Assignment Example

Introduction (Week 2) The term ‘wicked’ according to this article and in relation to wicked problems, isn’t used to mean evil, rather, it’s a crossword puzzle, an issue defiant and highly resistant to resolution (Rittel and Webber, 1973). Figure 1: What is Wicked Problem? Characteristics of wicked problems include: Wicked problems are difficult to define clearly. Having to depend on who has been asked, this brings out different versions of the problem with different ways to address them that may be wrong or right. Wicked problems have many interdependencies. There always will exist internal conflicting issues (goals or objectives). Unforeseen consequences often follow the attempts to address wicked problems. Due to their interdependencies, as you address the situation on one side, there are some unforeseen consequences elsewhere. Wicked problems are often unstable. Frequently, understanding or comprehending a wicked problem (e.g. through legislation, resources, scientific evidence) is dynamic, evolving at different avenues, making it hard to fathom. Wicked problems have no clear defined solution. Since there is no clear definition of wicked problems, therefore, no definitive solution to wicked problems exists. Solving wicked problems often cease when deadlines are met, or dictated by constraints. Moreover, solutions to wicked problems are not verifiably right or wrong, rather, they are better, or good enough or can be worse. Wicked problems are complex, socially. Wicked problems overwhelm most current problem-solving and project management approaches. Some wicked problems are due to chronic policy failure. Tackling wicked problems require a strategy, there is no quick fix (Conklin, 2006). According to Professor Nancy Roberts (2000), suggests in her book describes three possible strategies in dealing with wicked problems. Authoritative strategies. Where the problem-solving process is undertaken by an individual or group and the decision concluded accepted and abided by the others. Competitive strategy. Outlining a win-lose scenario, providing an avenue to create new ideas ad innovations. Collaborative strategies. This mode enjoys popular support in literature as being the best option. It is relevant where wicked problems solution involves sustained behavioral change as with the case of household waste management. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUH5XOPF8pc This reflective essays aims to: (1) Analyse the strategies adopted by our group for managing household waste as well as our methodological choices and chosen models. (2) Assess the strengths and limitations of the study, and (3) Explore possible recommendations and improvements of our methods. As stated clearly by Kolb, Honey and Mumford, there is no learning experience without reflection (Marchington and Wilkinson, 2012). This week we explored the wicked problem in great detail: “How to Reduce Household Waste and Increase Sustainable Consumption” and talked about different types of tools that could be used to develop value propositions. We also presented the article findings relative to these topics to our group members and there were some interesting findings on the matter. We discovered that smartphone technology can be employed in a wide array of areas including our selected topic, all we need to do is create an app that can be downloaded by virtually everyone and aid in our study. We decided to set a milestone for next week’s portion, ‘identifying a research question’ as well as focussing on the ethical reviews. I have to say, our team is very smart and I’m proud to work with them. How to Reduce Household Waste (Week 3) On how to reduce household waste, a research topic needs to be formulated and clarified as the starting point (Ghauri and Grønhaug, 2010). The selection of our research group’s topic selection was achieved after a considerable debate that aided in generating and defining ideas (Sauders et al, 2012). Upon evaluating these ideas, we discovered a common interest in smartphone applications. I suggested an app that can be designed to manage household waste. Figure 3: Common Household wastes Source: http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/rrr.html The traditional waste collection method had always been sufficient for collecting waste, but with the increase in household waste generated and additionally, the number of people, waste collection services have indeed lost their efficiency and have become tedious to manage. Therefore, designing an app that can be easily applied to household waste management seem plausible. As we realise the vastness of mobile technology and advancements in software development, mobile apps have appeared to be more convenient to us. Some apps have had success in dealing with several refuse management problems, and as such in household waste management the world of prospective efficacy and possibilities of mobile technology can be explored further. As stated, waste management has faced major issues in appropriate storage, collection, transfer, treatment and disposal, and most importantly, minimizing dangerous environmental and health impacts. Mobile applications in household waste management sector is in its early stages but not without considerable potential. Categorizing the potential uses into two dimensions, the "stakeholders' view" and the "users' view”, we can steadily comprehend such innovation. This categorization, outlines the different benefits realised. Designing an app towards reduction of household waste is the major priority and additionally as we researched more on the matter several solutions presented themselves on how to deal with household waste: 1. Using and promoting the use of recycled products. For instance, using the durable bags that general stores offer, switching to rechargeable energy sources and maximizing the use of printing papers. 2. We also concluded that using long lasting products e.g. glass and metal instead of plastics, which reduces the rate of household waste accumulation and ultimately environmental pollution. 3. We also looked into the role government plays through policy making and how they enforce them. For instance, having to tax more on products that are unsuitable and hazardous to the environment like plastics. Provide subsidies to families to encourage sustainable consuming. The government could also actively campaign and raise awareness on the importance of household waste management in the bigger picture of conserving energy and the environment in general. As far as policy making and practical action by both local and central government are concerned the individual policies must be directed towards these three household waste management behaviours (reduce, reuse and recycle), since they each possess their own attributes. Second, households have different capacities and will to reduce, reuse or recycle waste and therefore, one can’t simply target individual households. Third, creating awareness on what can be recycled or reused and also how to go about it, is a significant variable and thus, these information campaigns need to be directed to areas known to have a household waste management crisis where the survey. Finally, attitudes of people have been shown to shape their behaviours, therefore, public policy must continue driving the message of emphasis on the need to conserve the environment for a sustainable future. Once the problem had been identified, conducting a preliminary research followed that identified the research question (Jankowicz, 2005). Recycling, reuse and reduction of waste are fundamentally distinct. In terms of description, reduction is the least often undertaken by few individuals. People often reuse on a regular basis compared to the former as well as recycling. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_dY4Oi1iPY In this subsequent meeting, we shared new findings, having set goals in our previous meeting. We wrote down the core elements of our study (reducing household waste). We drew possible connection with the resulting findings. We discovered that there exists various apps which helps in household waste management and can be downloaded for iOS and Android platforms Canvas Model (Week 4) A business plan is basically a more detailed version of a business model. Traditionally, a business plan has been comprehended as a tangible document, albeit over the years, this view has changed with web 2.0 and have migrated online. A business plan format depends on the context, often being verbalized in presentations to an audience. Business models are simple versions of the business plan, usually taking the form of one page visual representations. Business Plan Approach Business Model Canvas Approach Internally focused: I have all the answers. Externally focused: The answers are outside of me – with the market, my customers or my key partners. Static: I can craft a plan today that will guide me for the foreseeable future. Dynamic: My plan will take shape over time as we learn more and more. Closed: I know enough now to plan for the foreseeable future, including financial projections and staffing needs. I’ll build it and then “they will come.” Open: I have some ideas. They may be brilliant or they may stink. I’m willing to test them early, toss out the bad ones, be open to new ones and improve the feasible ones. Rigid: We march to the plan. Adaptable: We learn and adjust, every step of the way. Table 1: Business Plan vs. Business Model Source: https://evergreenleadership.com/2013/07/02/business-model-canvas/ We will use the ‘Business Model Canvas’ to capture and visualise the evolution of business learning in a company, and to creatively identifying possible solutions. The canvas is represented by nine boxes depicting the details of the product, customers, channels, demand creation, revenue models, partners, resources, activities and cost structure. As may be surmised from the illustration below, the use of the canvas facilitates visual thinking, allows students to iterate quickly, and is easy to access and share. Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjB_e7UO1hc BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS KEY PARTNERS Smartphone app developers and Smartphone companies KEY ACTIVITIES Problem Solving (managing household waste) UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION Convenient Customized Easily Available CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS Self-service and Automated CUSTOMER SEGMENTS Mass Market KEY RESOURCES Humans Intellectual right to the product CHANNELS Direct (from their smartphones) COST STRUCTURE Cost Driven REVENUE STREAMS Licensing of the App In this week, we were introduced to business model and we learnt the differences and significance of a traditional business plan and a more modern model canvas. As such, successfully applying the knowledge to our research we successfully created a model canvas based on our ideas and findings presented. Value Proposition of Household Waste Management (Week 5) Tackling wicked problems involves design thinking and creating a value preposition. Design thinking is a philosophy centered on a user, building empathy guide the search for breakthrough innovation. Additionally, Value Propositions are product or service that offer value based on aspects like performance, cost efficiencies, novelty, risk reduction, customization, or any other desired outcomes. Figure 4: Design thinking Process Source: http://labs.sogeti.com/using-design-thinking-to-design-business-models/ The notion of value proposition stems from the conventional view that services are coproduced by service providers and customers. Waste is a permanent reminder of the durability of the material world (Edensor, 2005). Effective household waste management systems are known for creating political, social, economic, technological, and environmental value (Zaman and Lehmann, 2011). Moreover, it opens channels to discuss their impact on the environment, local economies and health (Söderberg and Kain, 2006). Our designed app value proposition constitutes a range of waste management services provided, and additionally, access to an extensive knowledge pool and expansive support base to ensure the feasibility and reliability of our app to users in managing household waste effectively. Our value proposition from this household waste management app is simply to be convenient, customised and available on major smartphone platforms (Android and iOS). Our consumer segment isn’t limited to a selected group, this app serves to manage household waste and it is logical to be designed to serve a broad group. Our sales channel will be direct with users directly downloading the app, sharing the app from their smartphones. Since the app is designed for smartphone use, users will be in control requiring less assistance working with the app, additionally, the interface will be automated making it easy to use and efficient. Revenue streams will come from licensing the product, giving users rights to use the product. The type of partnership will be a strategic alliance, between the smartphone companies and mobile software developers, with the effort to create, distribute and support the app designed. In minimising the costs in designing the product whenever possible, we have decided on having a cost driven cost structure. This week we met and discussed further the value proposition of our app and we also created our slides in preparation for next week’s presentation. We proposed doing it early to provide everyone an opportunity to obtain a copy of the study and familiarise themselves with it. Presentation (Week 6) The accurate design and timing of our PowerPoint slides aided in delivering the presentation professionally (Bryman & Bell, 2011). Some stage fright was noted, and as such less anxious members offered to handle audiences’ questions. Our team defended the presentation superbly and also handled the queries effectively, complementing or strong interest in the topic. Moreover, the slides were appealing, and the feedback generated from our tutors and peers was both encouraging and critical. The research philosophy chosen, pragmatism, enabled us to avoid emotional reasoning in justifying the answers given by the population during the interviews (Saunders et al, 2012). Therefore, this shows how the philosophy is important in supporting the type of research undertaken (Bryman & Bell, 2011) Focussed on Lecture (Week 7-8) In these weeks, we mainly focussed on the coursework, effectively gaining comprehension on research terminology. Research is all about discovering the unknown, and the most difficult part is usually how we unravel the truth. We selected the most appropriate means of our research between quantitative and qualitative modes through avid comparison. Additionally, we comprehended research factors like ontology, epistemology, methodology and method and we understood the outlined differences and their importance in research. Figure 5: Research Iceberg Figure 6: Comparison of research methods We decided to commence plotting our research design. These week’s coursework provided us with the much needed knowledge, considering some of our group members acknowledged not knowing anything about research methods available. Learning on research terminologies and methods served an important purpose in bringing us to the same level of knowledge and enable us to handle the research better. We incorporated these studies in our research effectively and we were able to address certain aspects of our research accurately. We also decided to complete our ethical review after we complete the research design. Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis in Assessment (Week 9-10) Focussing on the research design, we decided our philosophy, and it was pragmatism. We drew a research methodology, and in consideration of the current knowledge we had, brainstorming to define our quantitative research and we decided to use surveys that were anonymous, to collect data on participants’ perceived household waste management efforts. A team member suggested the use of qualitative numbers to help help grasp some core aspects like opinions and usage. Our mode of sampling was self-selection. Pragmatism philosophy was ideal, since every method in the book has its limitations and these different approaches can have a degree of complementation (Bryman & Bell, 2011). Also, obtaining both qualitative and quantitative data to effectively address the research question made this philosophy the better option. There are two distinct known research methods; quantitative and qualitative, used in collecting data for the purpose of obtaining information, and also to answer a particular research question (Ghauri & Grønhaug 2005). Quantitative research is any data collection technique or data analysis procedure that generates or incorporates numerical data; whereas qualitative research is in the form of descriptive accounts of observations conducted by use of conceptualization (Ghauri & Grønhaug 2005). Since the study aimed to show the negative impacts of social media (i.e. conceptualise; show that the idea that social media affects real life social interaction and is a tool for manipulation), qualitative research was chosen over quantitative research. We employed a double phase, mixed method in our exploratory studies where qualitative research was preceded by a quantitative research. This mixed method approach has its perks, as it’s both interactive and iterative, the first phase informing subsequently the next phase (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2011). Also, this dynamic approach has the ability to overcome weaknesses relative to using either method (Bryman & Bell, 2011). In our quantitative research, by using a questionnaire inclusive of open-ended questions, aided in designing the quantitative research questions. The self-selection sampling also proved useful for the qualitative research that consisted of semi-structured, yet in-depth interviews. The literature review secondary data obtained, provided comparative and contextual data (Saunders et al, 2012), with the team comparing the findings about mobile app usage and managing household waste. The semi-structured interviews were meant to validate findings from the questionnaires. Lack of standardization lead to the interviews being dissimilar and as to whether we would uncover identical results was a top concern. However, since the interviews reflected real-time reality, they were not intended to be repeated. The interviews did have their shortcomings, technical failures of the audio recording tools was inevitable, making data recording of three interviews a daunting task. Furthermore, reflecting the data was impossible. However, recording tools have the potential to adversely affect the interviews and reduce reliability (Ghauri & Gronhaug, 2010), additionally, we noticed the participant’s gave out more detailed answers. Addressing ethical challenges To address ethical challenges, we conducted an ethical review using the code on research ethics (Saunders et al, 2012). Discriminating and otherwise uncomfortable questions like economic status were avoided. This could have affected an individual’s perceived privacy due to its delicate nature (Yin, 2009). Before the survey and subsequent interview, the participants were offered a consent form, detailed with the nature and purpose of the research to sign. Indeed, ethical challenges are conflicts of interest in a study (Blaxter et al, 2006); therefore, we conducted our research with maximal objectivity. Week 11-12: Final Presentation In these subsequent weeks, we met to focus solely on final presentation of our research on reducing household wastes and increasing sustainable consumer consumption. We created PowerPoint sheets and also created presentation speech based on the slides. We laid out the best format, inputting only the relevant key points. However, with more time we could have presented our findings fully. As we considered elements of stage fright, we decided to print our speech and deliver to our audience; however, questions were handled personally. The presentation went well, with few mishaps and we successfully defended our research idea and everyone was satisfied with the research presented. Conclusions In conclusion, I am confident in our team’s management of the project, the acknowledged limitations and improvement capabilities. Shortcomings arising from the study were recognised and handled effectively. The delivered presentation was also well managed both timewise and defence-wise. It is our perceived notion that we uncovered interesting findings that complemented the secondary data. We also identified the need for future research involving a more naturalistic approach to solving the wicked problem. We consider our research successful in answering and solving the research problem, giving an insight into household waste management. Looking back over the weeks, I have to say, it’s been wonderful and interesting. Researching and learning at the same time and even developing and app! From identifying our research question and determining what a wicked problem is, coming down to creating an app through the design thinking process and a business model canvas, it was all amazing. Although, we had to change course a lot the theory and models aided us and kept us within the right track. Without the guidance of our tutor, everything would have fallen into chaos and worse not presented our idea. Once again, I’d like to mention the difficultness in conducting a genuine research while lacking proper resources and information access. I realized, in general, research needs funding. If I’d choose to do business research on the said topic once more, without a doubt I would, considering our interesting findings and revelations. Also, I would use ethnographic observations, in the future, to go beyond perceived accounts of people’s behaviour, studying their actual household waste management practices. I would also use a different method of sampling to represent the target population better. Our group maintained brilliance from the beginning and the contribution given by each member was of essence. References Blaxter, L., Hughes, C. and Tight, M., (2006). How to Research (3rd Ed). Maidenhead: Open University Press Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2011). Business research methods 3e. Oxford university press. Clark, V. L. P., & Creswell, J. W. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods research. Conklin, J., (2006), Dialogue Mapping: Building Shared Understanding of Wicked Problems, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, West Sussex, p. 34. Edensor, T. (2005) ‘Waste Matter: The Debris of Industrial Ruins and the Disordering of the Material World’, Journal of Material Culture. Vol. 10: pp 311–32. Ghauri, P., and Gronhaug, K., 2002. Research Methods in Business Studies, a Practical Guide. Harlow: Financial Times. Prentice Hall. Ghauri, P. and Gronhaug, K., (2010). 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(2006) ‘Assessments of Sustainable Waste Management Alternatives: How to Support Complex Knowledge Management’, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. Vol. 49: pp 21–39. Yin, R. K. (2009). Case study research: design and methods. (4th Ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Zaman, A.U. and Lehmann, S. (2011) ‘Urban Growth and Waste Management Optimization Towards ‘‘Zero Waste City’’’, City, Culture and Society. Is. 2: pp 177–87. Zikmund, W., Babin, B., Carr, J., & Griffin, M. (2012). Business research methods. Cengage Learning Read More